Grocer has strong Christmas
Budgens' independently-owned stores increased their like-for-like sales by 9 per cent over the two weeks to December 31.

Total sales at the grocer's 103 independents also jumped 20 per cent for the week to Christmas Eve year on year.

The retailer, owned by Musgrave Group, plans to complete the transfer of its remaining 80 corporate stores to independent retailers by the end of 2007. Sales figures for company-owned Budgens stores were not disclosed.

Total sales for Budgens at Chorleywood in Buckinghamshire rocketed 42 per cent over the two-week period.

Musgrave Budgens Londis head of independent retailer support Mark Torpey said: 'Our independent stores now outnumber Budgens' corporate stores and this excellent performance goes to show that progressive, well-run, independent community stores can compete successfully with the multiples - even at Christmas.'