Central England Co-operative releases new research into best-selling items at Christmas

Posted by stephanie forrester | Published: 29/11/2018

Central England Co-operative has revealed some of its best-selling products and Christmas shopping habits as customers get set to stock up in 2018.

New research conducted by the Society involving over 200 food stores spread across 16 counties has found the best-selling items across the festive season.

Unsurprisingly, traditional Christmas lines such as wrapping paper and greetings cards topped the list of items specific to the season, with elements for Christmas dinner such as turkeys, ham joints and vegetables taking prime position on customers’ shopping lists in the three days before 25 December. Seasonal treats such as confectionery and alcoholic drinks were also on the list to meet people’s changing eating habits and to ensure some festive fun for guests.

Those items that many people typically forget and dash to their local convenience store to buy on Christmas Eve included lots of items which are not directly associated with Christmas such as batteries, foil, napkins and gravy granules. The research also showed that whilst many want the home-cooked touch at Christmas, convenience is also important, leading to a spike in sales of mincemeat, puff pastry and custard powder.

Head of Product & Category, Martin Hill said: “Whilst it is not surprising that fresh foods and other products strongly associated with Christmas are purchased in the last few shopping days between 22 and 24 December, customers can plan well ahead for many other popular items which are often needed and are easily forgotten. It makes sense to stock up early on store cupboard items and non-food products to help prevent distress purchases over the festive period.”  

Keep up-to-date with the latest food offers this Christmas by visiting www.centralengland.coop/deals/

Below is a list of the top traditional Christmas products in demand in Central England Co-operative food stores in the run up to Christmas:

Other products not directly associated with Christmas, which were in high demand in the last few shopping days last year included:

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2018.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop