Sales and profits up at Central England Co-op

Central England Co-operative has announced its year end results, to 26 January 2019, revealing what it is calling a “strong financial performance”.

Gross sales at the Society were up 2.5% to £869.9m, with trading profit up 4.4% to £18.1m

During the period, the organisation opened 10 new food stores and six new Funeral Homes as well as the refurbishment of over 50 other sites across the 16 counties in which the Society trades.

Chief executive Martyn Cheatle said: “The Society delivered another strong performance in 2018 despite trading conditions remaining highly competitive in 2018 in all of the markets in which the Society operates.

“We remain confident in our strategy and our co-operative point of difference to deliver growth and provide a relevant and attractive proposition to our members, customers and local communities.”

Cheatle is due to step down as chief executive in April and will be succeeded by Debbie Robinson.