A RETAILER with food stores across Huddersfield has reported strong Christmas sales.
The Co-operative Group said the improvement was due to competitive pricing and investment to improve the look of its shops and the ranges on offer.
The Co-op, which has stores in Almondbury, Crosland Moor, Golcar, Holmfirth, Honley, Kirkburton, Marsden, Marsh, Meltham, Salendine Nook, Skelmanthorpe and Slaithwaite, said like-for-like sales rose by 6% in the three weeks to last Saturday.
That means like-for-like sales rose by 5.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008 and by 4.9% for the whole year.
The Co-op, which is close to completing a takeover of Somerfield, re-branded and refurbished 700 stores during 2008 at a cost of £200m.
The effort was rewarded with an average rise of 13% in total sales.
During the three-week period covering Christmas and new year sales growth was strongest for beers, wines and spirits, soft drinks, seasonal lines and fresh food.
The group’s online electrical business also enjoyed a buoyant Christmas season.
Like-for-like sales for the two weeks before Christmas were up a fifth while Christmas week sales rose by a third as shoppers snapped up TVs, food processors and coffee makers.
Chief executive Peter Marks said: “These results represent a good trading performance from our food business in an increasingly competitive market place and a difficult economic climate.
“We continue to make very good progress in all our target areas, with great products, local convenience, good value and responsible retailing at the heart of our customer offer.”
Mr Marks added: “Leading into and throughout the seasonal trading period we sharpened our prices and strengthened our customer offer, providing even greater value locally, backed by our best ever national TV advertising and local marketing campaign.
“This came on top of continuing new product development and maintaining a leading position in ethical trading.
“All our fresh turkeys were free range and British and all our own-brand Christmas cards and wrapping paper were accredited by the Forestry Stewardship Council.”
Mr Marks said the “unprecedented” investment in store rebranding and refurbishment was being paid back ahead of target as customers took to the new look and feel of its modernised stores.
The Co-op plans to refit another 700 outlets this year.
Said Mr Marks: “This robust performance is particularly pleasing coming ahead of our exciting acquisition of Somerfield, which we will complete in the first quarter of this year.
“We look forward to 2009 from a position of increasing strength.”
