Booths reports record Christmas week sales

Independently-owned supermarket chain Booths has reported bumper Christmas trading, with sales of festive staples including turkey, mince pies and wine increasing by double digits over last year.

For the three week period ending 6 January, like-for-like sales were up 8.7 per cent over last year, and 8.3 per cent for Christmas week itself.

Sales of turkey and poultry increased by 10.6 per cent and Christmas Bakery lines, were up by 21 per cent. Traditional Booths mince pies sales rose by 16 per cent.

Sales of smoked salmon increased by 34 per cent and Booths pigs in blanket sales rose by 9.7 per cent.  English wines continue to find favour with customers,  with sales of E.H. Booth & Co. Ltd. English Sparkling Wine up 46 per cent, sales of E.H. Booth & Co. Ltd. Prosecco increased by 20 per cent.  

The Booths cafe also proved a hit with customers, with sales of the Festive Christmas Baguette, a hot turkey, stuffing and cranberry feast of a sandwich, up by 28 per cent as overall café sales rose 37 per cent, supported by the upmarket Café 1847 concept which launched in two stores last year.

Nigel Murray, managing director, said: "Everyone at Booths, alongside our supplier partners, has contributed to delivering a great Christmas for our customers and this is reflected in a set of strong trading results.

"We strive to deliver the very best food and drink for our customers, and we can be extremely proud of what we achieved this year. The quality of our offer was the best yet and as ever was served up with the warmest of Northern welcomes.”

Booths is a family owned and led independent supermarket with stores across Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. The first store opened in Blackpool in 1847. Executive chairman Edwin Booth will speak at the first-ever Lancashire Festival of Business, taking place on 1 February.