New range and store formats are expected to generate opportunities for McColl’s stores, according to its latest financial results.

Results for the 53 weeks ending 29 November revealed 12% yearly like-for-like sales growth in the period, “primarily driven by new customers as a result of our stores in key neighbourhood locations”.

McColl’s chief executive John Miller said: “As lockdown restrictions ease, we expect higher purchases of impulse products and a progressive reversion towards pre-pandemic margins. However, we remain in a highly uncertain environment, with little visibility on consumer trends for the remainder of 2021.

“There is also an opportunity to optimise the space within our retail portfolio by resetting store formats [and] fixtures. This work includes segmentation of stores by location, performance, size and demographics, to strengthen our targeting of products, promotions and services.”

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