Somerfield has announced a positive Christmas trading performance today, with sales for the period improving significantly on previous years.
Like-for-like sales (excluding fuel) for the three weeks ending January 3 2009 grew by 3.7 per cent, with stores below 5,000sqft delivering close to 10 per cent like-for-like sales this Christmas, and close to 20 per cent like-for-like sales over two years.
Paul Mason, Somerfield chief executive, said: “These figures clearly demonstrate the turnaround that has been achieved at Somerfield - and provide an excellent platform going forward for the combined Somerfield and Co-operative Group businesses.”
John Cleland, Somerfield’s retail director, said: “These figures show that we are well on the road to becoming Britain’s favourite local grocery shop.
“This performance is against a backdrop of Somerfield being sold to The Co-operative Group. I am immensely proud of the hard work and commitment of all of our colleagues; they have remained focused on giving our customers what they want.
“In addition, the results of our fourth bi-annual colleague survey demonstrate that they are more engaged than ever. Across every dimension we exceed industry benchmarks - and have moved forward in both the shops and the Bristol Support Centre in almost every dimension from where we were at Easter last year.
“On completion of the transaction with The Co-operative Group, we will be bringing together two businesses that currently have real momentum and a shared vision to be Britain’s favourite local grocery shop.”
Somerfield currently operates approximately 900 stores across the UK and the acquisition by The Co-Operative Group will be completed later in the year.
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