To mark its 100th year anniversary, Otter Co-op is putting back close to $6 million into the pockets of its members 鈥� after a 鈥渞ecord year鈥� of sales.

The announcement was made at the organization鈥檚 annual general meeting last Wednesday, June 1.

CEO Jack Nicholson said despite COVID-19, and other challenges of floods, fires, and unpredictable restrictions, the company was able to maintain profitability.

That translated to $375 million in sales, a whopping $129 million above the previous year, he confirmed.

(EDITOR鈥橲 NOTE: A previous edition of the story incorrectly stated $375M in profits. That is incorrect, and we apologize for any inconvenience or upset that caused).

鈥淚 am very proud of the work achieved,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淎nd that your co-operative continues to have the ability to return our profits back to you.鈥�

Nicholson elaborated, noting sales continued to grow while the team did what he called a 鈥渇antastic job鈥� holding expenses and keeping the doors open with limited staff due to the pandemic, sick time, and the mounting labour shortages.

鈥淥tter Co-op was proud of all of the growth we were able to achieve throughout 2021, despite the pandemic,鈥� he elaborated.

Currently, cheques are planned to be mailed in November 鈥� to coincide with Giving Tuesday.

The CEO said that a significant portion of the profits stemmed from the liquor division, bringing in sales of $92.8 million.

鈥淭his is an increase of over $77 million,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 result of our growing brand and the acquisition of 21 new sites in 2021.鈥�

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The gas bars accounted for the lion鈥檚 share of sales, $117.3 million 鈥� a growth of 31 per cent.

And growth in this sector is expected to continue, he said, with construction set this year on another five gas bars, two more cardlocks, and one additional food store.

鈥淎s well, we are working on purchasing several Husky gas bars throughout the province, and converting them to Otter locations,鈥� Nicholson explained.

Board president Angie McDougall praised the people-power behind the positive numbers.

鈥淭he entire team across our lines of products deserve our praise and support,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e must remember this was still in the pandemic, so they face a multitude of challenges.鈥�

In addition to financial growth, Otter also gained 6,600 new members during the past year.

Nicholson alluded that the company鈥檚 success is a direct result of the training, development, and the loyalty of its employees and members.

鈥淚t is rewarding to know that our loyal team 鈥� including the board of directors, management, employee team, and members 鈥� remain the key to making Otter Co-op the growing, diverse, and viable business it is today,鈥� he said.

But he admitted 鈥� like all other businesses today 鈥� the biggest challenge facing Otter continues to be the labour shortage throughout the province, and what he describes as added pressure on the team as they鈥檙e forced to serve guests with reduced team members. He reminded 鈥渇olks to be patient and kind.鈥�

The $5.9 million in patronage reimbursements is on top of more than $450,000 the co-operative will be feeding into sponsorships, scholarships, and other community initiatives.

鈥淥ur profits stay right here in our communities, not off to some head office in Toronto or another country,鈥� said the CEO, noting the board has also approved one hundred $1,000 donations to non-profits in communities serviced by Otter Co-op. These contributions will be made during 2022 as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations.

鈥淭he message to the community is that Otter is proud to be a different kind of business, supporting the community that supports us. We are a profit-sharing company, and happy to be able to thrive the past few years and continue to give back,鈥� Nicholson concluded.

laurice.gomes@aldergrovestar.com
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