Fri 8th May 2015 - McDonald’s reports LfL global sales dropped in April McDonald’s reports LfL global sales dropped in April: McDonald’s has reported that global like-for-like sales decreased 0.6% in April. Like-for-likes were down in the US by 2.3%, Europe like-for-likes were up 1.0% but Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) like-for-like were down 3.8% “Earlier this week, we announced the initial steps in McDonald’s business turnaround plan,” said chief executive Steve Easterbrook. “We are moving quickly to deliver a better experience to our customers and to realize our vision to become a modern, progressive burger company. While our current performance reflects the significant work ahead, I am confident that we’ve taken the first critical steps toward positioning the company for long-term profitable growth.” US comparable sales decreased 2.3% in April in the face of ongoing competitive activity and negative customer traffic. To improve sales, the US is working to leverage its decentralised operating structure, simplified menu and consumer insights to deliver value initiatives and menu offerings that resonate with the local markets. Europe’s like-for-like sales rose 1.0% in April as solid results in the UK and Germany were partly offset by negative performance in France and Russia. McDonald’s Europe continues to target opportunities to enhance its popular promotional menu options and build on its value, breakfast and family business amid ongoing macro-economic headwinds across much of the segment. In APMEA, comparable sales declined 3.8% in April due to continued challenges in Japan partly offset by strong results in Australia and other markets. Strengthening McDonald’s quality and value perceptions remains a top priority for APMEA. Strong comparable sales in McDonald’s Other Countries and Corporate segment, which includes Latin America and Canada, contributed positively to the company’s global comparable sales performance for the month. System-wide sales for the month decreased 8.8%, or increased 1.5% in constant currencies.