CHRISTMAS SALES BONANZA AT HEART OF ENGLAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

Society Enjoys 5.2% Increase in Sales Despite Reported Slump in Retail Trading

The Heart of England Co-operative Society ended 2007 on a high and the early part of 2008 shows no signs of slowing down.

Despite reports of a slump in Christmas sales, the Heart of England Co-operative Society has once again defied the analysts by going against the grain and delivering a strong sales performance, meeting and in some cases exceeding its targets with sales increases reported of up to 5.2% over the same period last year.

The Society’s core values of quality and customer service shone through with the Heart of England producing high levels of sales not only within its food division but also non-food – once again setting it apart from the competition.

The region’s largest independent retailer attributes this success to its ability to serve the heart of the community through its range of products and locations.

As part of a larger buying group the Society is in a unique position of being able to offer the level of service associated with a community retailer, including competitive pricing and special offers available in large multiples, yet in a much more pleasant and less frenetic buying environment.

It is this coupled with a continuous programme of investment within its stores which enables the Society to continue to prosper.

In 2007 alone, the Society invested over £1.3m in store refurbishments. One million of that sum was invested in the Foodcentre at Balsall Common which underwent a major facelift with increased store space, new refrigeration facilities and greater product range and is now consistently showing significant increased sales - a remarkable result but clearly demonstrates that the Society’s commitment to its customers really does pay dividends.

Other stores to benefit from investment included the Lateshop at New Bilton which has recently undergone a £300,000 refurbishment programme, as well as an ongoing range of improvements to provide a better and more pleasant shopping environment for customers such as the installation of a modernised air conditioning system at Rooms of Coventry.

2008 will continue to see a major programme of investment.  Extension and refurbishment work has already commenced at Norman Place Road in Coventry and plans are in hand for Barwell Lateshop refurbishment as well as a major investment within the Society’s Funeral Division later in the year to further reinforce its position as the leading provider of funeral services within its trading region.

The Society has also not lost sight of its corporate responsibility as a community retailer and continues to support the Helping Hearts Award scheme with over £486,000 being pledged to local worthy causes.  Environmental considerations also remain high on the agenda and this is evident in the recent refurbishments at both Balsall Common and New Bilton which has seen the installation of ‘green’ refrigeration and lighting facilities to ensure that the Society keeps its carbon footprint to a minimum.

It is indeed real success story and one which breeds an air of optimism for the year ahead but the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Chief Executive Ali Kurji is not complacent. He commented:

“We are delighted by our Christmas performance which is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our employees.

“That said there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead but we will continue to review our product ranges, invest in our stores and do what we do best by delivering service levels that are second to none.”