Alfred Jones sales hit by competition

Sales at Spar retailer Alfred Jones fell 4.3% in the year to 1 May 2011 following stiff competition from the multiples.

Turnover in the period fell to £103.7m and pre-tax profits dropped 24.1% to £793,000.

However, chairman Jonathan Jones described the results as “more than satisfactory” given the challenges posed by “increased competition from the multiple sector”.

“The success of fresh daily deliveries along with new store formats has countered much of that,” he added.