Woolworths 1H Sales $30.7bn up 3.2%

Australian grocery retailer, Woolworths (ASX:WOW), have reported their first half results for 2012-2013.

• Woolworths reported $30.7 billion in sales for the first half, up 3.2 percent on the previous corresponding period. (27 weeks to December 30)
• "This solid first-half result is a reflection of the sharpened focus on our core businesses and better meeting our customers needs," said Woolworths Chief executive Grant O'Brien.
• Excluding Dick Smith – the Electronics retailer it had sold, the company reaped $30 billion in revenue, up from 4.8 percent on the corresponding figure.
• "Australian food and liquor performed well, growing by $0.9 billion, and continued to increase market share, customer numbers, basket size and items sold when compared to the same period last year," O’Brien said.
• Department store division Big W had $2.4 billion in revenue for their first half sales, an increase of 3.6 percent.
• Woolworths' home improvement brand Masters had a 54.6 percent increase in sales to $6.37 billion.
• There are now 25 Masters home improvement stores.
• Woolworths' hotels sales grew 19.3 percent on the previous year to $7.59 billion
• Woolworths hotels includes 29 hotels in NSW, 2 in QLD, 1 in WA.