Sainsbury's is set to lower the costs of some of their products as part of their way to help amid the rise in bills.
Over the last few months, the cost of living has soared for millions of households up and down the country with around 22 million said affected by the rise in energy bills alone.
Shopping bills have also seen an increase with the likes of Morrisons and Asda reducing some of their products too.
READ MORE - Scottish census to be delayed by a month due to low uptake
Profits at Sainsbury’s, according to Hull Live, have increased after a year of losses with bosses revealing pre-tax profits for the 12 months to March 5 hit £854 million.
This compares with a £164 million pre-tax loss a year earlier.
This was also a three-fold increase on pre-pandemic profits of £278 million. However the supermarket warned that profits would be dented in the coming year as it reduces prices to help customers with the cost-of-living crisis.
But before reducing prices, it said shareholders would enjoy a dividend bonanza, with payouts of 13.1p per share – a jump of 24% on a year ago. The company’s preferred profit measurement – underlying pre-tax profits, which strip out one-off costs – hit £730 million.
The grocer also warned this would be between £630 million and £690 million for the coming year. Sainsbury’s had a particularly strong time in its grocery division, with sales up 7.6% versus pre-pandemic levels – although these were flat on the previous year.
General merchandise sales were down 4.6% versus pre-pandemic levels as supply chain issues hit and fell even further in the past 12 months – dropping 11.9%. Overall revenues were £29.9 billion – up 2.9% compared with a year earlier.
Chief executive Simon Roberts said: “We know just how much everyone is feeling the impact of inflation, which is why we are so determined to keep delivering the best value for customers. We have been able to drive more investment into lowering food prices funded by our comprehensive cost savings plans.
“As a result, we continue to inflate behind competitors on the products customers buy most often. Last week we announced the next bold phase of investment, lowering prices across 150 of our highest volume fresh products.”
He also pointed out that Sainsbury’s had spent £100 million on pay rises for staff, bringing their salaries up to the Real Living Wage.
