Central England Co-op bucks high street trend

Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op chief executive

Central England Co-op has bucked the trend for declining sales on the high street after expanding its Travel Shop network and opening four new food stores, including one in Nottingham.

Sales at the Society grew by £7.7 million to £484.6 million in the first half of 2019, a rise of 1.6 per cent on the previous year, thanks in large part to the expansion of its travel services and the performance of the new stores.

Further investment in new sites is planned for the second half of the year and on into 2020.

Chief executive Debbie Robinson said: “In a challenging market, our gross sales increased and trading profit is in line with budget, reflecting a steady performance for the Society in the face of a highly competitive retail environment and uncertain economic backdrop.

“We remain committed to investing in our future and have opened new stores and a Funeral Booking Office alongside refurbishing several other sites.

“In difficult times, I believe our co-operative difference will set us apart and see us thrive while others may flounder. Together we will grow and prosper by embracing our values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.”

Reaffirming its credentials as a community-focused retailer, a recent scheme to redistribute food to local good causes saw Central England Co-op, in partnership with FareShare East Midlands, donate the equivalent of over 1.6 million meals to people in need.

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