TWO of the Southern Co-operative’s best performing outlets during the Christmas trading period were in Southampton.

The High Street and Maybush Corner stores were the best performers, helping to contribute towards a 3 per cent seasonal sales growth across the south.

Chief executive Mark Smith said: “Our store teams certainly rose to the challenge of achieving good like for like growth in such a competitive market.”

With 15 new stores added during 2012 total sales rose by more than 10 per cent in the same period.