Alcohol, Confectionery, Drinks and Non Food Lead a Successful Christmas for BP Convenience Stores

Alcohol, confectionery and non food sales led the way as BP’s UK convenience stores reported a successful Christmas trading period.

Like for like sales were up 5% for the three week period across Christmas and New Year for the 250-strong estate of BP Connect and Express stores.

The BP Connect sites including the Marks and Spencer Simply Food insert also performed strongly.

Richard Harding, BP’s UK Convenience Retail Director, said: "In terms of shop sales, we had a strong Christmas and New Year across all our store formats - in the light of the challenging trading environment we are delighted with the way things have gone in our stores.

"The success is driven by being convenient for customers, having a great range of products and services, and a really strong promotional programme.

“All of our categories did well, especially all of our impulse categories, with alcohol and confectionery the strongest performers.”

During the three week period, BP stores (ex M&S) recorded alcohol sales which were 13% up on 2008, and confectionery sales, which were 11% up on last year and soft drink sales 7% up.
These were driven by key BOGOF (buy one get one free) promotions on Cadbury Roses and Heroes on confectionery, and very strong alcohol deals on key brands Fosters, Stella, Carling and Blossom Hill wine as well as strong soft drinks deals on coke.

In the non food category, DVDs proved to be another huge success, thanks largely to the sales of three key titles, Mama Mia, Hancock and The Dark Knight.