Sales up at Spar

Convenience retail group Spar has posted like for like sales up 4.8% in the second quarter.

Spar

Total sales in the three months to 31 October were up 8%, which it says shows the “popularity of the convenience store is not diminishing” and will continue to be important in 2010.

Grocery saw an 8.5% rise, while fresh and frozen food categories both saw a 5% increase. Spar branded products continue to grow with 50% of own brand sales in the fresh food category.

Confectionery sales showed a 10% increase which Spar says suggests remnants of Woolworths confectionary sales have remained in local shops.

The group says its strong Q2 results show how the “resilience and adaptability” of its business model is helping it follow customer trends during the recession and become more established in categories such as fresh fruit and vegetables and meat.

Jerry Marwood, managing director of Spar UK, says: “Our stores no longer just depend on selling tobacco and the ‘old’ convenience model is changing. Our retailers are constantly adapting their businesses to respond to changing consumer needs and it’s clear that in the current market place the faster one can move the bigger the opportunity.”

In July, Spar launched a £5m national campaign to support the relaunch of its own brand ranges and improve customer perception of the Spar brand.