Wholesalers and independent retailers have coped well with some of the most intense competition ever from the major multiples over Christmas.
An e-mail poll of The Grocer’s Wholesaler Reader Panel found that most respondents had held trade at similar levels to last year or increased sales, with two reporting uplifts of 30%.
However the vast majority said savage price cutting on alcohol had hit their sales, particularly on beer.
They also believed that a multiple price war on seasonal confectionery had damaged their trade.
The Reader Panel’s findings were echoed in the third quarter trading statement that was released by the Big Food Group on Thursday. It reportedt like-for-like sales at Booker up 3% in the five weeks to January 2.
Independent retailers posted some strong trading figures over the Christmas period.
Nisa member Jash reported the highest increase, seeing like-for-like sales shooting up 30% at its four stores in West Bromwich during December.
Leathley’s Quality Fare reported an 18% rise in like-for-like sales in December, while Booths, ranked fourth in The Grocer Top 50, achieved a 10.1% rise in like-for-like sales in the three weeks to January 3.
Booths chairman Edwin Booth said growth had been driven by fresh food, wine and real ale, with licensed sales up 22% on a like-for-like basis in the three weeks to January 3.
He said: “We have had a stonking year and have enjoyed a quite dramatic increase in profitability.”
Mills Group posted a more modest 4% rise in like-for-like sales in the five weeks to January 3 driven by alcohol and tobacco, said MD Nigel Mills. However, confectionery sales had been disappointing.
Sales at Scottish c-store chain Morning Noon & Night were up 11.4% in total and 5.1% on a like-for-like basis for the five weeks to January 2.
Christmas week gave it its highest sales per week ever, despite the poor weather, said marketing director Stephen Thompson.
Oswestry-based Neighbours Food and Drink Stores was hit by the opening of a new Sainsbury’s Local in the middle of its trading area, but reported 4.9% like-for-like sales growth over the Christmas week commencing December 21.
An e-mail poll of The Grocer’s Wholesaler Reader Panel found that most respondents had held trade at similar levels to last year or increased sales, with two reporting uplifts of 30%.
However the vast majority said savage price cutting on alcohol had hit their sales, particularly on beer.
They also believed that a multiple price war on seasonal confectionery had damaged their trade.
The Reader Panel’s findings were echoed in the third quarter trading statement that was released by the Big Food Group on Thursday. It reportedt like-for-like sales at Booker up 3% in the five weeks to January 2.
Independent retailers posted some strong trading figures over the Christmas period.
Nisa member Jash reported the highest increase, seeing like-for-like sales shooting up 30% at its four stores in West Bromwich during December.
Leathley’s Quality Fare reported an 18% rise in like-for-like sales in December, while Booths, ranked fourth in The Grocer Top 50, achieved a 10.1% rise in like-for-like sales in the three weeks to January 3.
Booths chairman Edwin Booth said growth had been driven by fresh food, wine and real ale, with licensed sales up 22% on a like-for-like basis in the three weeks to January 3.
He said: “We have had a stonking year and have enjoyed a quite dramatic increase in profitability.”
Mills Group posted a more modest 4% rise in like-for-like sales in the five weeks to January 3 driven by alcohol and tobacco, said MD Nigel Mills. However, confectionery sales had been disappointing.
Sales at Scottish c-store chain Morning Noon & Night were up 11.4% in total and 5.1% on a like-for-like basis for the five weeks to January 2.
Christmas week gave it its highest sales per week ever, despite the poor weather, said marketing director Stephen Thompson.
Oswestry-based Neighbours Food and Drink Stores was hit by the opening of a new Sainsbury’s Local in the middle of its trading area, but reported 4.9% like-for-like sales growth over the Christmas week commencing December 21.
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