Northern supermarket chain Booths has revealed it has seen record Christmas sales.
It said like-for-like sales increased 8.7% in the three-week trading period ending January 6 and Christmas week saw sales rise by 8.3% on last year.
The specific Christmas weeks were underpinned by sales growth of 6.3% in the 12 weeks before Christmas, the firm said and it credited the growth to increased volume through higher customer numbers in addition to a rise in overall basket spend.
Sales of turkey and poultry up by 10.6%. Its bakery lines were up by 21 and sales of traditional Booths mince pies saw sales rise by 16%.
Sales of smoked salmon increased by 34% and Booths pigs in blanket sales rose by 9.7%. English wines continue to find favour with customers, with sales of EH Booth & Co Ltd English Sparkling Wine up 46% and sales of EH Booth & Co Ltd Prosecco increased by 20%.
Sales of its festive Christmas baguette, a hot turkey, stuffing and cranberry feast of a sandwich, rose by 28%. Overall café sales at Booths rose 37%.
Sales were helped by the much-anticipated Booths Christmas Book, a hardbacked tome of inspiring and delicious festive food and drink, colleague recipes and entertaining tips, the company added.
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.”
