Lancashire's Booths supermarket announces record Christmas - this is what people were buying
Lancashire’s family-owned retailer Booths delivered another record Christmas performance with like-for-like retail sales increasing by nearly five per cent in December
The key three-week trading period ending January 3 saw like-for-like sales increase by 3.8 per cent, a third consecutive year of record Christmas sales for Booths and representing a 24 per cent growth in sales over three years.
Warm, friendly and reliable service coupled with innovative and award-winning products are credited with the success. Booths customers recognised this and shared their experinences as Booths achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 80 per cent for the key three weeks of December. NPS scores measure customer satisfaction ranging from -100 to +100. According to global NPS standards, a score of above +50 is good and above +70 is outstanding.
Managing Director Nigel Murray said: “I’m delighted to report growth on growth figures for a third consecutive year. Christmas at Booths is a true team effort, 365 days in the planning and preparation. I’m particularly proud of the number of unique award-winning products developed and made by Booths, with the support of wonderful artisan suppliers. The quality of our offer was the best yet and as ever, was served up with the warmest of Northern welcomes.”
What were people buying?
The traditional British turkey found favour with customers with sales up by 12 per cent, with Booths birds winning top taste tests. Booths colleagues at cheese counters delighted customers with great service, products and knowledge boosting sales by 4 per cent. Booths pigs in blankets were up 4.6 per cent- all hand rolled in house at Booths own manufacturing facility in Preston.
Christmas bakery sales were boosted by 4.6 per cent with multiple award-winning lines with sales of mince pies increasing by 5.3 per cent. Sales of Christmas biscuits increased by 14 per cent. Unique to Booths ranges, including the Booths British Porchetta, prepared by Booths own butchers found favour with customers and taste testers alike, winning awards in Olive, Good Food, and Woman and Home magazines.
Booths continued investment in Café and Hospitality experiences supported like for like sales growth of 12.3 per cent with the introduction of new seasonal products. Food to Go sales increased by 9.5 per cent driven by sales of the Booths Hot Festive Baguette (+25 per cent) and the launch of the Booths festive sausage roll, made and freshly baked in store.
Nigel Murray added: “Sharing an infectious love of great food and drink is at the very heart of the Booths ethos. I would like to thank every colleague, supplier and customer for their continued trust in Booths. We constantly strive to deliver the very best food and drink and we can be extremely proud of what we have achieved this year.”
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