The Southland Co-op faced some challenges during their 2015-2016 fiscal year, as reported by general manager Ken Bahaud in his manager’s report during the 78th annual supper and general meeting at the St. George’s Parish Hall in Assiniboia on April 25.
Bahaud stated that there were over 7,500 Co-op members in 2016 and over 8,000 after January following the merger with Lafleche Co-op. There will be $880,000 paid out in member equity in June, $13.4 million has been paid out over the past decade.
Some losses were incurred with the Willow Bunch store closure. While petroleum sales showed real growth in sales of litres, monetary sales dropped overall due to the deflation in global petroleum prices. Bahuaud reported on the sales at each of the Co-op locations.
Gravelbourg food sales rose 2.8 per cent. The location’s sales are boosted with patrons from Thomson Lake. The store submitted a bid to sell alcoholic beverages, and as of May 1 Gravelbourg will be supplying retail wine and spirits. He noted that Mossbank sales were down and that $48,000 in repairs will be needed for the pump system.
The Assiniboia C-Store and Agro Centre saw strong growth, while the Home Centre had a soft 2016. The store saw some changes with a facelift to the interior and Dave Wilson joining as the new Home Centre manager.
Bahuaud noted that the Co-op Agro serves a huge area down to the south borderlands as far west as Hodgeville as well as east to Willow Bunch. Agriculture bin sales were up with $1 million in sales.
The Assiniboia Food Store fell behind in construction due to 81 job order changes that were needed and held its grand opening in October 2016. There was a 5.6 per cent drop in sales during this construction period. Lafleche Co-op merged with Southland Co-op on January 26, 2017 with a boost in sales projected.
