The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Spar supplier CJ Lang hails strong festive performance
Dundee-based firm supplies all Spar convenience stores
The chief executive of Dundeebased Spar wholesaler CJ Lang said strong festive sales showed the firm’s turnaround strategy was working.
CJ Lang owns and operates 113 Spar stores and supplies more than 300 outlets across Scotland.
The firm said its sales to independent Spar retailers increased by 8.9% in the four weeks to January 4.
Meanwhile like-for-like retail sales for company-owned stores were up 4.4% over the same period.
Colin McLean, who joined the firm as chief executive almost two years ago, said the sales rise reflects a change in company strategy.
CJ Lang, which is based at Longtown Road and celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, has introduced new measures to improve stock availability and in developing its “foodto-go” range.
Mr McLean said: “We are pleased with how trading went over the Christmas period.
“As the Spar wholesaler for Scotland, we are focused on providing our customers with award-winning Spar own label products, together with the best Scottish local ranges and deals to give them a real reason to shop in our stores.
“The growth in turnover confirms we are driving positive change, as outlined in our strategy last year.”
Mr McLean said year-on-year growth at the wholesale and retail business has been driven by a strong licensed offer, food-to-go implementation and soft drinks.
He added: “We had a good Christmas trading performance across our Spar Scotland company-owned stores, on the back of very strong sales growth the previous year.
“This success, alongside our overall solid performance in 2019, will ensure that we continue to attract new independent business in 2020.”
CJ Lang employs around 300 staff at its offices and distribution centre in Dundee.
The group employs 2,100 staff across Scotland.
The firm’s most recent accounts, for the year ending April 30, showed sales of £187.9 million and underlying profits, before exceptional costs, of £764,000.
CJ Lang will share its future plans with its retailers and suppliers at its annual tradeshow in March.