Research reveals how shoppers make a good start for a healthier new year

Posted by stephanie forrester | Published: 06/01/2020


Research by Central England Co-operative has revealed that shoppers’ buying habits reflect their desire to eat more healthily in the new year.

Last year 26% of shoppers made a healthy change to their diet in January1. The top three changes were eating more fruit and veg, giving up alcohol and reducing sugar.

Berries were a big seller for Central England Co-op in January 2019, with sales of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries up almost 20% compared to the previous year.

Sales of wholefoods also rose in the first two weeks of January 2019, with purchases of dried green lentils (500g) up by a third and other beans up around 10% including Co-op Red Kidney Beans, Co-op Chick Peas with No Added Salt and Co-op Red Split Lentils. These increases may also reflect the rising interest in veganism. Committed vegans or people who are happy to make small changes towards a more plant-based diet, can find great choices in store from basic ingredients to the new Gro range of vegan food, which will be available in selected stores from 8 January.

Responsible drinking is also high on the agenda for those with healthy ambitions for 2020 and Central England Co-op has a range of low and non-alcoholic wines, ciders and beers which are guilt-free and full of flavour. In the first half weeks of January 2019, the retailer saw sales of one 0% alcohol lager more than double and the trend seems set to continue.

For great ideas on making a healthy start to 2020, visit https://www.centralengland.coop/food and for all our new year offers, including lots of fresh and healthy options for a healthier wallet and a healthier you, take a look at https://www.centralengland.coop/deals

 

Notes to editors

1Source: IGD Veganuary and Dry January – the shopper opportunity

Picture 1: The new Gro range of vegan foods will be available in selected stores from 8 January. Picture 2: Berries saw an upturn in sales last year as customers chose fresh, healthy options Picture 3: Cooking from scratch with lots of veg is a great place to make a healthy start to 2020

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 members 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