Co-op sees growth in food, fashion and funerals

MIDLANDS Co-operative Society has announced a strong set of end of year figures.

The society has reported a record trading profit of £26.6m for the 12 month period to January 28.

Chief executive Martyn Cheatle said: “Midlands Co-operative continues to perform strongly and grow despite continued pressure on consumer spending over the last year.”

The society’s largest business of retail foodstores performed strongly during the year. Eight new food stores were opened during the year with more in the pipeline for 2012.

Sales of fashion and home products in society food stores also increased during the year and work is underway to maximise growth in this area.

The year also saw the society enter into a joint venture in travel with The Co-operative Group and Thomas Cook which means that Midlands Co-operative now has a stake in the largest travel agency business in the UK. 

The Funeral business delivered a strong performance over the year against a declining death rate, with a slight increase in funeral arrangement numbers and positive growth in the support operations of masonry, floristry and coffin manufacture.