May 10, 2018 9.54 am This story is over 70 months old

Sales up 4.6% at Lincolnshire Co-op

Local food range saw huge growth.
Lincolnshire Co-op has seen a growth in sales and profits over the last half year.

Sales at Lincolnshire Co-op have risen by £7 million to £160 million this half-year as the retailer invested in a variety of services and developments across the region.

Total sales in the six months to March 5 went up by 4.6% compared to the same period last year.

Headline figures for the half-year include:

  • Food stores saw sales up by 6.1%, with the Love Local range recording a 61% sales increase
  • Prescriptions at Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies up by 2.1% to 2.8 million
  • Travel branches sales went up by 2.6%
  • Group trading was £7.7 million — lower than last year’s £8.5 million due to cuts to pharmacy income and rising costs such as repairs, wages and rates
  • 12,737 new members joined Lincolnshire Co-op
  • £108,000 was split between 167 local charities and community groups
  • The society also donated £153,000 to 63 lunch clubs, friendship groups and charities tackling loneliness through Community Champions

Lincolnshire Co-op’s sales performance helped it invest £16 million into capital projects including opening a new travel agency in Retford, funeral homes in Market Rasen and Coningsby and an arrangement office in Caistor.

Travel agencies in Lincoln and Grantham, plus a pharmacy in Hull’s Bransholme, were also relocated to new premises.

Inside Cosy Club in the old Corn Exchange in Lincoln.

Large property developments included the M&S Food Hall on Tritton Road in Lincoln and new businesses, restaurant Cosy Club and Thomas Cook, moved into the refurbished Corn Exchange building in Lincoln city centre.

Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter said: “I’m pleased with this half year’s positive performance. Being successful means that together, we can invest in valued services, community projects and developments which help make life better in our communities.”