The Manx Co-operative Society continues to show ‘resilience’ against a backdrop of challenging trading conditions Society chairman Eric Calderwood has said.

Mr Calderwood was speaking at the Manx Co-operative Society’s AGM held at the Mount Murray hotel where he told an audience of shareholders and colleagues that for the 2012-2013 financial year sales achieved across the Island’s 10 stores were ?25.8 million and underlying profits ?1.7 million. The figure represented a continuing turnaround in the Society’s fortunes over the past three years and was, he observed, ‘an incredible achievement’.

Factors contributing to the year-on-year rise in profits included a stronger retail offering, benefits from securing improved buying terms, robust cost control, store refits and new IT systems. These combined with the dedication and hard work of store teams and management had led to increased customer numbers and more than 18,500 members now sharing profits.

Regional operations manager for Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man Gary Macaulay went on to explain that the Manx Co-operative Society was working towards making the shopping experience ‘memorable’. Enablers driving that strategy included providing enhanced ranges; a focus on quality and freshness; carefully chosen products; fair and competitive value; and promoting flair and salesmanship among in-store teams. The future would be marked by more customer service training and freeing up store teams to be on the floor engaging with customers. ‘The customer is at the heart of all we do; we’re not selling disappointment,’ he said.

In tandem with its retail operations the Manx Co-operative Society remained committed to supporting local causes. ?12,000 had been raised in 2012 for the Noble’s Hospital special care baby unit and during 2013 fundraising efforts would be directed to Crossroads Care.

The AGM was also attended by The Co-operative Bank’s chief operating officer, Bruce Hope-MacLellan who said: ‘I was delighted to attend this year’s AGM and given the opportunity to share with members the Bank’s strategy, including its plans in the Isle of Man.

‘The Co-operative aims to be at the heart of communities and it is clear that the Manx Co-operative Society is having a positive role in the Isle of Man.’

Photo - The Co-operative’s regional operations manager for Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man Gary Macaulay. Picture Andrew Barton.