Scotmid

Source: Scotmid

Strong sales across its food business boosted by the hot summer were the key drivers as Scottish co-operative society Scotmid delivered an 11% increase in trading profits for the year to 28 January.

Scotmid recorded a trading profit of £5.3m as sales grew 1.1% to £377.9m.

The performance of the convenience food business made up for a marginal decline in its Semichem pharmacy operation and flat sales across its funeral arm.

“This strong result was achieved through the implementation of a range of continuous improvement initiatives and was boosted by the hottest summer in 40 years, all while operating with the background of a lacklustre economy, Brexit uncertainty and the cumulative burden of significant cost increases,” said Scotmid Co-operative chief executive John Brodie.

“Our Scotmid food convenience business bore the brunt of the cost increases including business rates, energy and employment costs, but delivered a strong like-for-like sales performance assisted by range improvements and the favourable weather.”