Central England Co-op is getting into the full swing of summer 2019 and new research from the retailer has revealed just how much last year’s heatwave conditions affected its shoppers’ purchases.
The findings gives a clear indication that 2018’s scorching temperatures, combined with major sporting events such as England’s success at World Cup, encouraged shoppers to enjoy the weather and the football with friends and family with barbecues and a celebratory drink.
The data reveals that 15,000 more quarter pounders were bought in summer 2018 compared to the previous year, while 46,000 more rump steaks also found their way in to shoppers’ baskets as they increasingly fired up the barbecue as temperatures soared.
Meat-free purchases were also on the up as shoppers looked for alternatives for their barbecue guests – with frozen vegetarian burgers seeing a 42% rise in sales.
Shoppers visiting Central England Co-op Food Stores this summer are well catered for again with products ideal for the summer barbecue including Co-op Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers and Co-op Irresistible 6 Pork Sausages, as well as Co-op Free From Bread Rolls and Co-op Irresistible Coleslaw to accompany them.
With customers celebrating England’s football success and the good weather, sales of beer/lager and cider were up in 2018, as were sparkling wine and spirit sales driven by prosecco and gin.
Summer 2019 sees some delicious alcohol options on the shelves at Central England Co-op such as Co-op Irresistible Tillington Hills Dry Cider, Co-op Triple Hop Golden Pale Ale and Co-op Irresistible Gin Liqueur.
However, the research also shows the increasing trend of shoppers turning to alcohol-free products, with a 32% rise in low alcohol cider sales and a 6% rise in low alcohol wine sales at Central England Co-op stores.
Research carried out by customer behaviour experts IGD ShopperVista found that 69% of customers seek out new products in store and this summer Central England Co-op has some exciting new ranges to tempt shoppers looking for that something a bit different.
For those in need of a cooling treat in the hot weather, there are Co-op Mer-mazing or Rainbow Uni novelty ice cream cones, or for something a bit special there is Co-op Irresistible Blackcurrant & Sicilian Lemon Ice Cream and Co-op Irresistible Salted Caramel & White Chocolate Cookie Top Ice Cream.
There are also new snacks available for the summer picnic or a quick nibble from Co-op Irresistible Handcooked Burger Crisps to Co-op Irresistible Eton Mess Cookies.