Coles chief executive Leah Weckert has shrugged off the marked slowdown in comparative store sales growth in the first quarter of the new financial year, saying shoppers are snapping up cheaper fresh produce and Christmas treats like mince pies heading into the key holiday period.

Ms Weckert told The Australian Financial Review Coles has a strong plan for the holidays, when she expects more consumers to eat at home to celebrate. She also flagged that Coles had a strong result with its Magical Builders Harry Potter collectables program a year ago which boosted sales.