The Heart of England Co-operative has broken its own festive food sales record after its strongest performance to date.
The society recorded a 13.3% increase in like-for-like sales in the two weeks to 4 January, with an overall increase of 19.5%
The group highlighted that the increase came against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive market which is seeing a sharp decrease in footfall amid fears of the spread of coronavirus, and a change in consumer shopping habits in which people are switching to larger, less frequent shopping trips and more demand for home delivery.
Among the society’s best performing stores over the two weeks were Wellesbourne, which recorded a 42% increase, Rotherham Road in Coventry, with a 36% increase, Balsall Common with a 25% increase and Long Itchington and Attleborough, which both recorded 23% increases.
Brussels sprouts came top of the list for the best performing product overall over the two weeks. Alcohol also featured prominently, making up four of the top five selling products. These included Lanson Black Label, Taylors Port, Les Pioneers Champagne and Baileys.
Prosecco, double cream, salmon, bacon and mince pies made up the remainder of the top ten most popular products.
Steve Browne, General Manager of the society’s food division, highlighted that its continued programme of investment in its stores, their various locations and accessibility, its members’ loyalty scheme and its new rapid home delivery service, had all been strong contributors to the festive success.
Browne said: “Christmas was a different event this year with families not being able to celebrate in larger gatherings, and this was reflected in the sales trends.
“As a result there were more individual occasions being planned than normal, but with a smaller number of mouths to feed and therefore more demand for slightly different products such as smaller turkeys.”
He added: “We are delighted with our overall performance thanks to the efforts of all our colleagues who have been selfless throughout the pandemic, supporting the communities we serve.”
NAM Implications:
- Great opportunity for suppliers to compare their Heart of England Co-operative sales
- by key store
- product by category
- The resulting insights will help you determine the extent to which you are prepared…
- …to invest your diminishing resources to optimise your known strengths…
- …and avoid propping up revealed weaknesses.
- Unless you can think of a better way, of course?
