Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Premier Foods to extend lower prices to more products

Premier Foods to extend lower prices to more products

Premier Foods said it will extend lower promotional prices to additional products, buoyed by the strong performance in the third quarter ended 30 December 2023.

Group sales were up 14.4 per cent year on year, underlined by particularly strong market share gains of 121 basis points.


“The lower promotional price points we introduced in the third quarter have positively impacted performance while also helping consumer budgets go further. These lower prices will be extended to additional products such as Loyd Grossman cooking sauces and Mr Kipling Bakewell slices in quarter four,” Alex Whitehouse, chief executive, said.

The group’s international business had another very good quarter, growing sales by 11 per cent, delivering progress in strategic markets. Sales in new categories more than doubled, with Ambrosia Porridge pots and Mr Kipling and Angel Delight Ice-cream both being standout performers.

Whitehouse said festive favourites such as Bisto, Oxo and Paxo contributed to the group’s biggest ever Christmas, as consumers enjoyed not only the core ranges but new products such as Bisto Best meat free gravy and Paxo Chicken and Bacon stuffing.

“We sold nearly 190 million mince pies, 4 million more than last year, helped by the new Mr Kipling ‘Best Ever’ Signature mince pies,” he said.

“With another strong period of trading behind us, and great plans for the coming months, we are well on track to deliver on profit expectations for this year.”

More for you

Henderson Group raises over £49,000 for mental health charity
Photo: Henderson Group,

Henderson Group raises over £49,000 for mental health charity

Henderson Group, SPAR distributor in Northern Ireland, said it raised over £49,000 for Action Mental Health (AMH) last year, while bringing even more wellbeing services and awareness to its workforce.

The group, which employs over 5,000 people, announced its partnership with the local charity in 2022, and has since raised over £94,000, with every penny going towards the organisation’s vital work in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across Northern Ireland.

Keep ReadingShow less
Government publishes guidelines on disposable vape ban
Photo: iStock

Government publishes guidelines on disposable vape ban

DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) today (20) has published more detail on the definitions of single-use or disposable vapes, the penalties for selling them after the introduction of the ban on June 1st this year, and what to do if you have stock of single use vapes.

DEFRA's new guidance confirms that from 1 June 2025, it will be illegal for businesses to sell, offer to sell or have in their possession for sale all single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes. This applies to sales online and in shops and to all vapes whether or not they contain nicotine.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shona Robison
Scottish finance secretary Shona Robison presents the government's budget at Scottish Parliament building on December 4, 2024 in Edinburgh.
Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Indies call for Scottish government to extend 40 per cent rates relief

Independent retailers are urging the Scottish government to rethink its plans to exclude them from business rates relief support announced in last month’s Budget.

Finance secretary Shona Robison announced on December 4 that 40 per cent relief towards business rates bills would only be given to the hospitality sector in Scotland.

Now, Mo Razzaq, the National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), has written to her, urging her to follow the UK government and grant business rates relief support to retail businesses. This decision was taken by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her budget on October 30.

Mr Razzaq said: “The Scottish government appears to have the numbers in Parliament to ensure that its budget proceeds next month. However, we appeal to ministers to review their proposal that small shops are excluded from the 40 per cent rates relief the UK government is awarding. This is because small independent shops are more vulnerable to closure.

“Shona Robison, the finance secretary in Scotland, has the money in identified funds flowing from the UK budget but is choosing not to spend it in this way. It is a bizarre decision as small shops in Scotland experience the same tough trading conditions as shops elsewhere."

In the letter, Mr Razzaq welcomed the government’s acknowledgement that retail crime was of major concern and that extra funds were required to tackle it. However, the proposed £3million was insufficient “to combat this issue which impacts on the safety and sustainability of small independent shops.” He urged Ms Robison to review it.

Rapper duo to launch world food store in south London

Image from LinkedIN/ Cayso Johnson

Rapper duo to launch world food store in south London

Rappers Krept (Cayso Johnson) and Konan, in collaboration with entrepreneur Kayson Ali, are set to open a new halal and world foods store in south London in a bid to better serve the local community.

Saveways Supermarket will officially open on Feb 1 in the duo’s hometown of Croydon, a 15,000 sq ft. retail site close to Asda.

Keep ReadingShow less
AG Barr welcomes Dino Labbate as new Chief Commercial Officer

AG Barr welcomes Dino Labbate as new Chief Commercial Officer

Dino Labbate has been announced as the new Chief Commercial Officer at A.G. BARR plc, the branded multi-beverage business with a portfolio of market-leading UK brands, including IRN-BRU, Rubicon, FUNKIN and Boost.

Dino takes up the role from today, 20 January 2025, having spent seven years at Britvic plc, most recently as GB Commercial Director for Hospitality. With previous experience at Kraft Heinz, Burton’s Biscuits and Northern Foods, Dino brings a wealth of FMCG insight and experience across all channels of the food and drink industry.

Keep ReadingShow less