The East of England Co-operative Society, the UK’s third largest independent consumer co-operative, has announced a “positive” Christmas and New Year trading performance in food retail.
Like-for-like sales in the society’s supermarkets and food stores covering the four-week trading period to 9 January 2010 were up by 6.9%.
Richard Samson, East of England Co-operative chief executive said: “This is a sterling performance from our core business, food retail, particularly as weather conditions across the east of England in the lead-up to Christmas and in recent weeks have been atrocious, with snow and ice causing chaos not only on country roads, but on many of the main arterial roads too.
“Our food distribution centre delivers goods to our 135 food stores across the region, plus stores operated by Anglia Regional and Chelmsford Star Co-operative Societies, as well as the Co-operative Group.
“Credit is due to everyone at our distribution centre, particularly our drivers, who pulled out all the stops to get through the icy conditions to ensure continuity of supply.
“I’d like to also say a big thank you to all of my colleagues across the society whose commitment and diligence have enabled us to keep all our food stores and supermarkets open for business during the adverse weather conditions, which has been much appreciated by our Members and customers.
“Indeed, throughout the difficult weather conditions, our network of food stores has provided a lifeline to local communities, with a huge demand for basics such as bread and milk.
“Our customers benefited from some excellent value prices over the Christmas period and traditional Christmas favourites were top sellers, with tins of confectionery recording an 86% increase and key offers on wines, spirits and beers underpinning a strong performance in that sector.
“There was also a noticeable return this year to home baking, with significant increases in the sales of associated products.
“Additionally, our Essex-based travel business recorded an excellent 8.8% increase in sales for the four-week period, indicating that customers are very keen to escape the gloom of our British weather for a while!”
Despite the harsh economic climate, and the arrival of even more competition within the Society’s trading area, the East of England Co-operative’s core business of food retail has now achieved 15 successive quarters of like-for-like sales growth.
