Increased sales at Iceland stores

Bill Grimsey thinks Iceland would be right for Londis

Retailer Big Food Group has once again expressed its interest in purchasing the Londis store chain, as it reported increased Christmas sales.

North Wales-based Big Food Group, the owner of the Iceland chain, said its "scale and expertise" would enable it to greatly serve Londis storekeepers.

It comes as the group reported a 1.9% increase in festive period sales across the Iceland frozen food stores.

A number of other retail companies are interested in taking over Londis.

These include Irish food group Musgrave, which owns Budgens.

Discounts

Iceland's 1.9% sales increase figure covers the five weeks to 2 January.

For the wider third quarter or 13 weeks to 26 December, sales at the stores were up 1.2%.

The Big Food Group said the sales increases had come through better product availability and the successful continuation of its promotional strategy, centred around some hefty discounting.

"The trading environment remains tough, but we are gaining sales momentum from our own actions," said chief executive Bill Grimsey.

"The sale of Londis would present an opportunity for us to serve another group of independent retailers by bringing our scale and expertise to help them succeed."