New research by Central England Co-op shows how hot weather affects shopping habits
Posted by james brindle | Published: 31/07/2019
Central England Co-op is getting into the full swing of summer 2019 and new research from the retailer has revealed just how much last year’s heatwave conditions affected its shoppers’ purchases.
The findings gives a clear indication that 2018’s scorching temperatures, combined with major sporting events such as England’s success at World Cup, encouraged shoppers to enjoy the weather and the football with friends and family with barbecues and a celebratory drink.
The data reveals that 15,000 more quarter pounders were bought in summer 2018 compared to the previous year, while 46,000 more rump steaks also found their way in to shoppers’ baskets as they increasingly fired up the barbecue as temperatures soared.
Meat-free purchases were also on the up as shoppers looked for alternatives for their barbecue guests – with frozen vegetarian burgers seeing a 42% rise in sales.
Shoppers visiting Central England Co-op Food Stores this summer are well catered for again with products ideal for the summer barbecue including Co-op Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers and Co-op Irresistible 6 Pork Sausages, as well as Co-op Free From Bread Rolls and Co-op Irresistible Coleslaw to accompany them.
With customers celebrating England’s football success and the good weather, sales of beer/lager and cider were up in 2018, as were sparkling wine and spirit sales driven by prosecco and gin.
Summer 2019 sees some delicious alcohol options on the shelves at Central England Co-op such as Co-op Irresistible Tillington Hills Dry Cider, Co-op Triple Hop Golden Pale Ale and Co-op Irresistible Gin Liqueur.
However, the research also shows the increasing trend of shoppers turning to alcohol-free products, with a 32% rise in low alcohol cider sales and a 6% rise in low alcohol wine sales at Central England Co-op stores.
Research carried out by customer behaviour experts IGD ShopperVista found that 69% of customers seek out new products in store and this summer Central England Co-op has some exciting new ranges to tempt shoppers looking for that something a bit different.
For those in need of a cooling treat in the hot weather, there are Co-op Mer-mazing or Rainbow Uni novelty ice cream cones, or for something a bit special there is Co-op Irresistible Blackcurrant & Sicilian Lemon Ice Cream and Co-op Irresistible Salted Caramel & White Chocolate Cookie Top Ice Cream.
There are also delicious new snacks available for the summer picnic or a quick nibble from Co-op Irresistible Handcooked Burger Crisps to Co-op Irresistible Eton Mess Cookies.
Shoppers visiting Central England Food Stores this summer could also find themselves picking up a £10,000 holiday of a lifetime along with their groceries.
The Trip of a Lifetime competition runs until August 28 and shoppers making a purchase will receive a postcard with details of how they can enter the competition.
For information on deals and products at Central England Co-op this summer visit https://www.centralengland.coop/food
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, travel shops, 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 2019.
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 and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop