Total sales in the expanding convenience store chain McColl’s in its latest trading quarter were up 3% year on year. But like-for-like sales (which strip out the effect of new stores) were down 2.3%.
Within stores where like-for-like sales could be measured, sales in shops categorised as “convenience and newsagent” were down 4.6% but those categorised as “premium convenience and food” fared better – they were down 0.4%.
Some 46 new stores had been acquired, 26 conversions to food and wine outlets were completed, and alcohol was introduced to 100 of the newsagent outlets.
