Hot summer boosts sales in grocery markets

The sales in the grocery markets increased during the summer this year due to early arrival of summer scorching heat.

Owner of different grocery chain Shops Group said that sales excluding taxes increased by 2.7% in January–June and stood at EUR 5610 million.

Sales particularly increased strongly in the domestic grocery trade, but strong results were also recorded for other business operations, said a recent press release.

"Our total sales continued to increase steadily in early 2018, and the effects of the hot early summer on customer activity are particularly evident," said Chief Executive Officer of SOK Taavi Heikkilä.

S Group's grocery sales increased in Finland by 5.8%, to EUR 3562 million. Its growth rate continued to clearly outperform the market in this sector.

According to Heikkilä, the number of S Group's online grocery customers is also increasing.“The ease of online grocery shopping is attracting customers. The online food trade increased by 30% from the corresponding period of last year”.

In other business operations, sales developed as expected. For example, ABC service stations' sales increased across the chain's operations. Hotel sales also increased with larger numbers of Finnish and international travellers.