Written by William Kellett
Central England Co-op has announced a 9.2% increase in like-for-like sales (excluding fuel) over the Christmas and New Year period.
The co-op, which has over 260 food stores across 16 counties, recorded growth for the key three festive trading weeks ending on January 2.
Community-based convenience stores traded very strongly, with Central England Co-op also enjoying a bumper Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day thanks to the support of its customers and members.
Areas that saw major rises in sales included the firm’s Irresistible range, Pink Prosecco and its popular turkey meal deal.
Supporting festive campaigns
This successful trading period allowed the co-operative to reinvest in vital community projects across its trading estate and support a range of important festive campaigns.
This included:
- Creating over 524,000 for FareShare Midlands as a result of a £131,000 donation based on a portion of sales from its Irresistible range;
- Near £15,000 donation to NHS Charities Together through sales of its festive flower range;
- Customers donated over 45,000 items via its Christmas Food Bank Appeal to help create 22,000 extra meals for families in need via over 65 different local food banks;
- Over 12,000 toys and gifts were handed to youngsters as part of the society’s annual Christmas Toybox Appeal.
Debbie Robinson, chief executive at Central England Co-operative, said:
“Our focus this festive season was to provide our members, customers and communities with access to food, essentials and vital services in a safe and secure environment.
“Thank you to all of our colleagues for their outstanding contribution to the society throughout the whole of 2020, and to our members and customers for their continued support and loyalty.”
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