Booths reports order surge against challenging backdrop

A challenging retail market saw festive sales at Booths, the North West-based food and drink retailer, drop like for like in December despite a sharp increase in orders.

While the Preston-headquartered firm’s overall sales were up 5.9% between December 13 and January 2, on a like-for-like basis sales were down by 1.4%. The firm has attributed the figures to the widespread flooding that struck its Northern heartland at the end of 2015.

Elsewhere, Booths saw a 54% increase in home delivery orders and an 11% rise in overall orders.

The company’s CEO, Chris Dee, said: “Our teams worked with typical Northern grit to cope with the twin demands of a challenging retail climate and devastating weather conditions.

“The Booths culture comes into its own in times of need and we managed trade well, keep stores open with good availability, successfully deliver our offer nationwide and support staff, customers and communities affected by the severe weather.”

He added: “The rise in demand nationwide for a Booths Christmas is particularly gratifying, confirming that Booths is a trusted brand with significant appeal outside our region.”

Booths has further reported that meat sales rose by 33%, Christmas trimmings by 55% and turkey by 12%, while sales of the firm’s game box product leapt 649% after featuring in its Booths Christmas promotional book.

The firm’s latest sales figures exclude its Keswick store, which closed after it became flooded in early December.