Family-owned supermarket Booths saw sales rise by 6.5 per cent over the festive period – including record sales in the week before Christmas.
Christmas 2021 saw the firm make 400,000 fresh hand rolled pigs in blankets and three tonnes of goose fat potatoes.
The chain, which has stores in Penrith and Keswick, said its like-for-like retail sales rose over the key three-week trading period.
Total revenue, including business to business and wholesale sales increased by 4.3 per cent from 2020.
Over the quarter, retail sales grew by 4,2 per cent on 2020.
Chief operating officer Nigel Murray said: “I’m delighted to report growth on growth figures for a third consecutive year.
“Christmas at Booths is a true team effort of 12 months in the planning. Our 3,000 colleagues strive to deliver the very best food and drink along with our renowned warm Northern welcome.
“I pay particular credit to the teams who kept smiling behind their facemasks to deliver warm and friendly service in our stores and the top levels of quality and availability achieved against some incredibly challenging market conditions.”
Customers planned and ordered early with significant increases seen in the number of Christmas pre-orders received in October and November.
Booths added that it had seen mince pie sales rise by eight per cent; English wines sales grow by four per cent; Champagne sales grow by 21 per cent and artisan cheeses rise by 21 per cent compared with 2020 figures.
Mr Murray added: “I continue to admire the dedication shown by our colleagues and suppliers not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.
“The past two years have been incredibly challenging and the commitment of the Booths team to keep customers, colleagues and communities safe and cared for is simply inspiring.”
