Find out the top 10 items that shoppers forget and rush to buy from Co-op stores on Christmas Eve

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 23/12/2019


Central England Co-op has revealed the top 10 items that shoppers forget and rush to buy in the final few hours before shops close on Christmas Eve.

Market research from the retailer has analysed December 24 sales for the past several years to find out the items that people realise they cannot enjoy Christmas Day without.

Data shows that sales of these items – which range from Christmas dinner essentials to lemon and limes – peak late in the day on Christmas Eve as customers remember they have forgotten that one vital ingredient that makes everything tick on the big day.

Unsurprisingly, Co-operative Prosecco and mince pies were the most popular items on December 24, with the rest of the top 10 filled out with items that people often forget or do not realise that they have run out of.

Staple Christmas Day items including sprouts, gravy granules and foil for the turkey fly off the shelves as customers rush to make sure that nothing can ruin their big dinner.

Bacon also features highly as meat lovers treat themselves to a special breakfast while youngsters wake early to open their presents.

Essentials such as batteries and sellotape also run close to selling out due to last minute present wrapping and preparation for the unwrapping of electronic toys.

The last two items to fill out the top 10 are lemons and limes as people enjoy a festive tipple and Christmas crackers for those who want to make sure the days goes with a bang.

A spokesperson for Central England Co-op said: “This fascinating insight showcases how easy it is for us all to forget one vital item and have to rush out and stock up on Christmas Eve.
“We work hard at Central England Co-op to ensure that our shelves are stocked full of all the everyday essentials to make sure the big day is a success, alongside a range of great treats to make the festive season extra special.

“Central England Co-op also aims to cut the stress out of Christmas and cut out any last minute panics by staying open late to offer everything shoppers need.

“So even if people do forget their festive favourites – or their everyday essentials - customers should be confident help is at hand right up until the last minute on Christmas Eve and throughout the festive season at Central England Co-op stores.”

On Christmas Eve, all convenience stores will be open until 8pm.

Keep up-to-date with the latest food offers this Christmas by visiting www.centralengland.coop/deals/ and find out what times local stores are opening and closing at www.centralengland.coop/storelocator

 

 

Notes to editors

 

Below is a top 10 list of products that proved popular in Central England Co-operative Food Stores on Christmas Eve for the past five years:

 

1

Mince pies

2

Prosecco

3

Sprouts

4

Lemons/limes

5

Bacon

6

Batteries

7

Foil and cling film

8

Sellotape

9

Gravy granules

10

Christmas crackers

 

About Central England Co-operative

 

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

 

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2019.

 

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

 

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to member activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

 

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

 

Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390

 

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop