Turnover at Scottish c-store group David Sands has risen by 4% to just over £41m in the last year.

The fifth-generation family-owned retailer attributed the increase to its support of local and Scottish producers, and investment in staff training.

The 29-outlet chain has also developed a range of freshly made sandwiches, soups, salad bowls, and ready meals under the ‘David’s Kitchen’ brand.

Pre-tax operating profits for the year to December 31 2010 also rose by 18% to £1.65m.

David Sands, chief executive officer, said: “While the last year has been as challenging for us as it has been for the wider retail sector in Scotland, I believe that our decision to develop our own ‘David’s Kitchen’ brand of food to take away has given us a very clear point of difference over our competitors.”