The Co-op Bakery

Photo:The Co-operative Headquarters, Queen Street, Mansfield

The Co-operative Headquarters, Queen Street, Mansfield

The Industry in the 1960's

By Alan Curtis

The Co-operative Bakery, were very big players' in the baking industry.

In 1964 there were 14,040 Supermarkets and Self Service Stores. accounting for 35% of all food turnover . (Less than 10% of shops - more than 1/3rd of turnover). Split thus in 1964 - Co-ops 4,456 ...33.9%. Large Multiples 4,723....36.0%. Large Independents 3,677....28.0%.

The Co-ops having their own outlets were really untouchable as far as Landers were concerned. Their shop outlets were many, and basically their only other opening for their bread was retail, (door to door delivery) which they did very well. It was only when Landers commenced their own retail vans with Bakers Boy that the Co-op began to lose out. They also appeared to be a little slow off the mark with their Supermarkets.

Landers and the Co-op were always very friendly, and were there to help each other when the occasion arose.

The Co-op in 1964/5 had a total of 13,919 shops out of a total of 149,548 shops, which included 18,041 multiples and 117,388 corner shops.  Mansfield had their fair share of Co-op shops, including the very large store on Queen Street.

Of the total food market in 1964/5. The Co-op's turnover was estimated at £463 million. The Multiples turnover was £849 million. and the Independents turnover was £1,274 million. Giving a total of £2,586 million. Of this food market total, the Co-op had 17.9 %  in 1964/5. The bakery market was worth £486 million, with bread worth £ 306 million, compared with, Bacon £129 m. Butter £187 m. Biscuits £140 million, and Sugar £130 million.

In 1966 the sterling value of the food market was £2,586 million and the population was in the region of 55 million

 

By Alan Curtis (Not yet approved)

 

This page was added on 16/12/2011.
Comments about this page

The above facts and figures were given to all members of the Sales Managers' Course at Donhead House in Wiltshire in 1966. I was a member of that course and the information was collated by The British Bakeries head office, who would of course have all the information of any opposition. As any opposition would have had of British Bakeries. The Co-op did have 13,919 shops at that time. There were 149,548 shops and corner shops ( including the Co-op shops ) in the country at that time. Although in their infancy, the Supermarkets and Self-service shops stood at 14,040 in 1964. Luckily I saved the papers from the course.

By alcurtis
On 18/12/2011

Looking at the pronounced " Top End " of the food trade in 1964, one had only to look at the distribution of Supermarkets and Self-Service Stores... " A Supermarket at the time had to be..(Not less than 2000 sq ft). " At the end of 1964 . These 14,040 Supermarkets and Self Service Stores accounted for 35% of the total food turn over, which told us that less than 10% of shops were doing more than 1/3rd of the total food turnover. I believe that although the Co-operative were one of, if not the first to enter into the Self Service Stores, They failed at the time to stay in the horse race. They appeared to let other multiples take the lead...People like Fine Fare,Tesco, Sainsbury, Premier, Elmo, Waitrose, Asda and Morrisons took advantage....Although I have visited some very nice clean Co-op Supermarkets offering goods at very competitive prices recently...It is better late than never.. Alan C

By alcurtis
On 04/01/2012

The above papers were presented to the delegates of the course by Mr J. F. Wakelin. The Training Manager of Rank Hovis McDougall Limited. Millocrat House...The papers are dated the 17th November 1966. Mr. Wakelin was on the list of speakers of the Sales Managers' Course. Alan Curtis

By Alan Curtis
On 04/01/2012
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