The independent sector saw 4.7% growth in like-for-like sales in May, according to the latest figures from SalesOut. This healthy growth is attributable to bursts of good weather and Bank Holiday weekends, and shows that the sector is continuing to demonstrate resilience in the recession.

SalesOut commercial director Steve Collins says: “In the last column we detailed the top growth categories for convenience stores. Biscuits was one of these top 12 growth categories – increasing 10.9% year on year – as was canned fruit & desserts, which saw 8.7% growth.

“As the trend towards shopping locally continues – which is typical in a recession as consumers look to reduce unnecessary purchases and  wastage – convenience stores must prepare for growing demand on stock and store standards, so it is vital to have the right products in store to meet consumer needs. With this in mind, SalesOut has created a check list for the top-selling products in the canned fruit and desserts and biscuits categories for the year ending May 2009.”

The SalesOut Category Health Check is derived from sales data for more than 5,000 independent stores, 3,000 of which are symbol stores. It identifies the key products in each category to ensure retailers have a range to reflect market trends.
The top 25 biscuit lines deliver 70% of total category sales for independents, while the top 20 desserts make up 56% of that category.


SalesOut recommended range: Biscuits

McVITIE'S HOMEWHEAT MILK CHOC 300g/400g
McVITIE'S HOMEWHEAT PLAIN CHOC 400g
McVITIE'S MILK CHOC HOB NOB 300g
BAHLSEN CHOCO LEIBNIZ MILK 125g
McVITIE'S JAFFA CAKES 12s
McVITIE'S DIGESTIVE 300g/400g
OWN LABEL DIGESTIVE 400g
McVITIE'S HOBNOB 300g
McVITIE'S RICH TEA 300g
OWN LABEL BOURN CRMS 400g
OWN LABEL CUSTD CRMS 400g
OWN LABEL FRUIT S/CAKE 300g
OWN LABEL GINGER NUTS 300g
BURTONS JAMMIE DODGERS 150g
CADBURY FINGERS 150g
MARYLAND CHOC CHIP COOKIES 150g
MARYLAND DOUBLE CHOC 150g
BLUE RIBAND 6
KIT KAT 2FINGER 6/9
TUNNOCKS CHOC CARAMEL WAFER 4s
JACOB'S CHEDDARS 150g
JACOB'S CREAM CRACKERS 300g
RITZ CARTON ORIGINAL
RYVITA ORIGINAL 250g
TUC BISCUITS 150g

SalesOut recommended range: Canned fruit & desserts

CARNATION EVAPORATED MILK 410g
CARNATION CONDENSED MILK 397g
AMBROSIA CREAMED RICE 425g
AMBROSIA DEVON CUSTARD 425g
AMBROSIA DEVON CUSTARD TETRA 500g
BIRDS INST CUSTARD SCHT 75g
BIRDS CUSTARD POWDER TIN 300g
DELMONTE FRUIT COCKTAIL SYRUP 420g
DELMONTE PEACH SLICES JUICE 415g
DELMONTE PEAR HALVES JUICE 415g
DELMONTE PINE CHUNKS JUICE 432g
DELMONTE PINE SLCS JUICE 432g
DELMONTE PRUNES JUICE 410g
AMBROSIA DEVON CUSTARD POTS 150g
AMBROSIA RICE POTS 150g
HARTLEYS RTE JELLY POTS RASPB 125g
HARTLEYS RTE JELLY POTS STRAW 125g
HARTLEYS TAB JELLY STRAWBERRY 135g
HEINZ S/PUDD CHOCOLATE 300g
HEINZ S/PUDD STICKY TREACL 300g

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