Progressive Enterprises third quarter Countdown supermarket sales for the 13 weeks to April 5 have come in at $1.5 billion, an increase of five per cent on the previous year.

The business, owned by Australia’s Woolworths, saw comparable sales returned to solid growth, increasing three per cent for the quarter,despite low inflation, reflecting investment in price.

Countdown’s ‘Price Drop’ and ‘Price Lockdown’ campaigns resonated well with customers, according to Woolworth, driving improved price perception results as well as growth in customer numbers and units sold.

Countdown’s food price index for the quarter was deflation of 0.1 per cent (Q215 deflation of 0.5 per cent) with deflation continuing across the majority categories, including grocery, meat, and bakery.

The number of Countdown supermarkets at the end of the quarter were unchanged at 174, with total franchise stores under the Fresh Choice and Super Value banners remaining at 60.

Total sales for the Woolworths Group came in at Third quarter sales results were A$15 billion, an increase of three per cent excluding petrol, or 2.3 per cent Easter adjusted.