Colin McLean

Source: CJ Lang

CJ Lang CEO Colin McLean

Scottish Spar operator CJ Lang saw strong festive sales across both its wholesale and retail arms.

CJ Lang said delivered sales to independent Spar retailers were up 8.9% in the four weeks to 4 January, while like-for-like sales in its company-owned store estate jumped 4.4%.

The business pointed out that the results were particularly positive given it enjoyed a strong festive period the previous year. Its key growth drivers were licensed goods, food to go and soft drinks.

“We are pleased with how trading went over the Christmas period,” said CJ Lang CEO Colin McLean. “As the Spar wholesaler for Scotland, we are focused on providing our customers with award-winning Spar own-label products, together with the best Scottish local ranges and deals to give them a real reason to shop in our stores.

“We had a good Christmas trading performance across our Spar Scotland company-owned stores, on the back of very strong sales growth the previous year. This success, alongside our overall solid performance in 2019, will ensure that we continue to attract new independent business in 2020.”