Spar has announced a 2.3% increase in year-on-year sales, well ahead of the symbol group market as a whole.
In the four weeks ended 2 January 2022, Spar reported a 13.2% increase in year-on-year-on year sales.
Its grocery sales also increased by 14% compared to the same period last year.
Medicines had the highest YOY sales rise at 47% as cold and flu relievers were in demand alongside, baby products sales growing by 25% YOY. Baby food also grew by 24% respectively.
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In terms of food sales, soup increased by 26% and crisps and snacks grew by 19%.
Soft drinks drove overall grocery sales with impulse sports and energy drinks subcategory gaining popularity. Additionally, total fresh produce sales grew by 7.1% compared to last year.
“Our Christmas trading results are confirmation of how SPAR continues to lead the convenience store and symbol market,” Spar UK managing director Louise Hoste said.
“According to Nielsen Scan Track data, it shows that in the four weeks to 1 January, the c-store market was up +2.1% and symbols was down -2.5%. Our YOY sales grew by +2.3%.”
Spar’s own label Christmas line including the savoury range and new party food lines performed well under the “2 for £2” price mechanism, it revealed.
“We had a really strong Christmas week for SPAR Brand sales, which were up +5.4% YOY1 and +26% YOYOY,” Hoste added.
“SPAR Brand continues to deliver growth. It is worth over £350m annually and is the twentieth biggest selling food brand in the UK.”
The news comes as Spar unveiled its new brand positioning, “The Joy of Living Locally” that celebrates the stores “unique characteristics”, earlier this month.
Last May Spar also announced the group would invest £125 million into stores and improve its supply chain and IT capacity to support retailers.
The symbol group is currently halfway through the process, with investments into store developments already made.
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