A NORTHERN retailer experienced a bumper Christmas this year with sales increasing by over 10% in the three week period.

Booths, the family-owned independent food and drink retailer, saw sales increase by 11.8% over the key trading period and an increase of just over 16% in the week running up to Christmas.

Chief Operating Officer Nigel Murray said: “It’s been a Christmas like no other at Booths, but we were determined to deliver it safely and with appropriate cheer.

“Customer trust in Booths has grown steadily throughout the pandemic and these results reflect on our commitment to quality and service and prioritising the safety of our colleagues and customers.

“Our customers feel reassured shopping at Booths, and that is a great credit to our teams.”

Orders from the Booths Christmas Book, a now popular institution with the company’s customers, were up 66% by value.

Sales of turkey crowns were up 38%, frozen turkeys up by 50%, and sales of pigs in blankets skyrocketed with a 100% increase.

In addition, licensed sales were particularly strong, with sales of English wine, both still and sparkling up by 72%.

And with more people staying at home homemade cocktails were on the menu with sales of liqueurs up 39% and while gin sales remained buoyant, rum became the new spirit in town with sales up 64%.

Also seeing growth were wholesale figures with a rise of 40%, boosted by demand for home delivery options for the Booths brand who are in partnership with Amazon and Electric Forecourt operator, Gridserve.

Chairman and CEO Edwin Booth said, “I cannot fully express how proud I am of my colleagues at Booths.

“The drive and determination they show not only at Christmas, but every day is remarkable. In the most challenging of conditions the true spirit of Booths has revealed itself in the cheerful and practical optimism of our teams.”