By Rajasik Mukherjee

Nov 11 (Reuters) - Shares of Australia's Endeavour Group EDV.AX fell to a record low on Monday, after the pub operator posted first-quarter group sales growth below market estimates, while a lack of clarity around its CEO succession also left investors disappointed.

The stock declined as much as 5.9% to A$4.450 in its biggest intraday percentage loss since Aug. 26, while the benchmark index .AXJO was down 0.3%.

Endeavour, which was once the country's biggest pub owner, reported group sales growth of 0.5% to about A$3.11 billion ($2.04 billion) for the 14 weeks to Oct. 6, below a Visible Alpha consensus of 1.9%, compiled by Citi.

The company said cost-of-living pressures curbed consumer spending, which further squeezed its top line.

Endeavour flagged further headwinds for its retail division after reporting flat sales growth as momentum slowed in September.

"In the near term, softer sales and a lower margin sales mix, resulting from both a higher percentage of sales on promotion and consumer downtrading, are expected to impact retail profitability," MD and CEO Steve Donohue said in a statement.

Achieving retail sales growth in the second quarter will be challenging, Jefferies analysts said in a note, adding that cost inflation remained a headwind for both the retail and hotel divisions.

Citi analysts flagged a lack of update on Endeavour's CEO transition.

Current CEO Donohue had laid out his intention in September to leave the role. The firm had, however, said Donohue would continue as CEO until his successor was found.

"Given the weakness in trading conditions, combined with uncertainty around the strategic direction of the group following Donohue's recent resignation, we expect the stock to be weak today," Citi analysts said in a note.

($1 = 1.5191 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com;))