Early Christmas treat for shoppers as Co-op outlets serve up festive food

The retailer claims it is meeting customer demand for the early release and will have them on-shelf on Wednesday (9 September) instead of the end of the month as normally happens.

The Co-op, which has over 260 stores in 16 counties, says it is reacting to calls from shoppers and input from social media users who have asked for early Christmas products.

Natalie Smith, store manager at Central England Co-op, said: “For months now our colleagues have been inundated with requests for when our Christmas products will be on sale. While we know that hearing about anything festive related this early is not for everyone, some cannot wait so we have decided to give these people what they want.

“I have no doubt that mince pies and anything else Christmas related will fly off the shelves especially during these uncertain times when people need and deserve a boost.”

From Wednesday, shoppers will be able to buy mince pies for £1 and mince pieces from £2. For the first time, the retailer is also launching three different Christmas puddings early ranging in price from £1-£3.

The retailer has outlets in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, West and South Yorkshire,  Suffolk and Norfolk.