t
Kitwave Group PLC announced its unaudited interim results for the year ended 31 October 2025 on 22 January 2026. The company reported revenues of £802.7 million, a 20.9% increase from £663.7 million in FY 2024, and adjusted operating profit rose 11.7% to £38.0 million. Kitwave Group PLC also announced today the terms of its proposed acquisition by OEP Capital Advisors L.P.
| Date | 22 Jan 2026 |
| Time | 07:00:07 |
| Category | Results |
| ID | 8718P |
Kitwave Group plc
("Kitwave", the "Group" or the "Company")
Unaudited interim results for the year ended 31 October 2025
Kitwave Group plc (AIM: KITW), the delivered wholesale business, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the year ended 31 October 2025 ("the period", "FY 2025").
The tables and commentary below include comparatives for the year ended 31 October 2024 (FY 2024).
Financial Highlights
· Revenues up 20.9% (1% down like-for-like (2)) to £802.7 million (FY 2024: £663.7 million).
· Consolidated gross margin up 0.6% to 22.9% (FY 2024: 22.3%).
· Adjusted operating profit(1) up 11.7% to £38.0 million (FY 2024: £34.0m).
· Cash generation from operating activities of £46.4 million (FY 2024: £31.4 million).
· Pre-tax operational cash conversion of 104% (FY 2024: 90%).
· Robust balance sheet with leverage reducing to 2.3x (FY 2024: 2.8x) including IFRS 16 lease liabilities, and reducing to 1.4x (FY 2024: 19.x) excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities.
· As previously communicated, it is the Board's intention to distribute a single dividend for the 8-month period to 31 December 2025, which, together with the interim dividend of 4.0 pence per share previously announced on 1 July 2025, will cover dividend distributions for the 14-month period to 31 December 2025.
Operational Highlights
· The Retail & Wholesale division outperformed FY 2024 in both revenue and adjusted operating profit.
· The integration of Total Foodservice and Miller Foodservice was completed, and progress is being made on the operational integration of the combined business into Creed Foodservice.
· The new South West distribution centre is now operating at the required service levels, following capital and operational investment made during the period.
· As previously announced, the Group took the proactive decision to incur some additional operational investment in the new South West distribution centre. These costs continued into H2 as expected.
· Creed Foodservice achieved growth in both revenue and adjusted operating profit, despite facing economic headwinds in retail and leisure spend.
Outlook
Trading has been in line with management expectations since the Group's last trading update.
Kitwave continues to pursue operational and commercial synergies from the integration of its Foodservice business to mitigate cost headwinds and provide a platform for future growth.
The Board acknowledges the current trading environment, which is characterised by macroeconomic uncertainty and inflationary pressures affecting margins and costs, driven by compound minimum wage increases and changes to National Insurance contributions.
The Company has today announced the terms of its proposed Acquisition by OEP Capital Advisors L.P. representing an attractive proposition for shareholders and stakeholders.
Financial summary
|
|
|
Year ended 31 October 2025 £m |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited £m |
|
Revenue |
|
802.7 |
663.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
183.2 |
147.8 |
|
Gross profit margin % |
|
22.8% |
22.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
|
53.4 |
45.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating profit(1) |
|
38.0 |
34.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax |
|
22.4 |
22.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash inflow from operating activities |
|
46.4 |
31.4 |
|
Pre-tax operational cash conversion(1) |
|
104% |
90% |
(1) For more information on alternative performance measures please see the glossary at the end of the announcement.
(2) Like -for-like revenue excludes revenue from Creed Foodservice but includes acquired revenue from Total Foodservice now financially integrated with Miller Foodservice.
Ben Maxted, Chief Executive Officer of Kitwave, commented:
"During this period, Kitwave has achieved record revenue and adjusted operating profit. Additionally, significant operational changes have been implemented across its expanded foodservice division through the integration of Creed Foodservice with our Northern and South West foodservice businesses. This work will create opportunities for operational synergies and provide a platform for sustainable growth.
"Our Retail and Wholesale division continues to deliver robust performance, benefitting from underlying consumer demand and leveraging its expertise in service excellence.
"The Group remains highly cash generative, maintaining a strong balance sheet and facility headroom, and has de-levered in the period through reduction in net debt as expected. "
- Ends-
For further information, please contact:
|
Kitwave Group plc Ben Maxted, Chief Executive Officer David Brind, Chief Financial Officer |
Tel: +44 (0) 191 259 2277 |
|
Canaccord Genuity Limited Bobbie Hilliam Harry Rees Elizabeth Halley-Stott |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8150 |
|
Yellow Jersey PR Charles Goodwin Shivantha Thambirajah
|
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3004 9512 |
Company Overview
Founded in 1987, following the acquisition of a single-site confectionery wholesale business based in North Shields, United Kingdom, Kitwave is a delivered wholesale business, specialising in selling and delivering impulse products, frozen, chilled and fresh foods, alcohol, groceries and tobacco to approximately 46,000, mainly independent, customers.
With a network of 37 depots, Kitwave is able to support delivery throughout the UK to a diverse customer base, which includes independent convenience retailers, leisure outlets, vending machine operators, foodservice providers and other wholesalers, as well as leading national retailers.
The Group's growth to date has been achieved both organically and through a strategy of acquiring smaller, predominantly family-owned, complementary businesses in the fragmented UK grocery and foodservice wholesale market.
Kitwave Group plc (AIM: KITW) was admitted to trading on AIM of the London Stock Exchange on 24 May 2021.
For further information, please visit: www.kitwave.co.uk.
Chief Executive Officer's statement
Introduction
The Group has continued to progress the integration of the foodservice division. While weaker demand in the hospitality sector has impacted revenues, particularly in Foodservice, the Retail & Wholesale division has demonstrated robust performance. Additionally, Creed Foodservice has shown growth, supported by its integration with the wider Foodservice division. Overall trading was in line with the Board's expectations for the year.
Financial summary
|
|
|
FY 2025 £m
|
FY 2024 Audited £m |
|
Revenue |
|
802.7 |
663.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
183.2 |
147.8 |
|
Gross profit margin % |
|
22.8% |
22.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit |
|
31.7 |
28.8 |
|
Operating margin % |
|
3.9% |
4.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
In the year to 31 October 2025, the Group achieved revenue of £802.7 million (FY 2024: £663.7 million) and an operating profit of £31.7 million (FY 2024: £28.8 million).
The gross profit margin improved to 22.8% (FY 2024: 22.3%), driven by an increased revenue mix towards the higher-margin Foodservice division, following the full year effect of the FY24 acquisitions.
During the reporting period, the Group decided to incur additional short-term costs in order to maintain service levels in the South West while consolidating operations from three depots into a single distribution centre. The Group also accelerated the planned operational integrations in the Northern Foodservice business by reducing the number of distribution centres from four to two. These operational integrations resulted in exceptional restructuring expenses of £2.4 million (FY 2024: £0.1 million). This activity will allow the Group to drive synergies and operational benefits to mitigate future cost headwinds. Excluding these costs, the Group's cost base remained in line with expectations.
Basic earnings per ordinary share was 20.1 pence (FY 2024: 23.5 pence). Despite an increase in operating profit and EBITDA, the reduction in basic earnings per ordinary share is primarily due to the increase in share capital.
Cash generation remained strong in the period with £46.4 million generated from operating activities (FY 2024: £31.4 million).
The Group's cash and cash equivalents decreased by £3.2 million during the period, following cash outflows related to deferred consideration paid on the Creed acquisition, a reduction in trade loans and invoice discounting advances of £9.5 million, as well as debt service payments and dividends.
The Group's balance sheet as of 31 October 2025 had reserves of £132.0 million (31 October 2024: £124.5 million) and net debt of £122.0 million (31 October 2024: £127.8 million).
Net debt has reduced by £5.8 million since 31 October 2024. The reduction in bank facilities was offset by an increase in lease liabilities of £6.0m principally relating to leased fleet replacement. Leverage reduced to 2.3x (31 October 2024: 2.8x) including IFRS 16 lease liabilities, and reduced to 1.4x (FY 2024: 19.x) excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities.
Divisional summary
Set out below is the financial performance of the business by division:
|
|
|
FY 2025 £m
|
FY 2024 Audited £m |
|
Group revenue |
|
802.7 |
663.7 |
|
Ambient |
|
205.8 |
204.6 |
|
Frozen & Chilled |
|
247.3 |
235.5 |
|
Retail & wholesale |
|
453.1 |
440.1 |
|
Foodservice |
|
349.6 |
223.6 |
|
Corporate |
|
- |
- |
|
Group adjusted EBITDA(4) |
|
53.4 |
45.2 |
|
Ambient |
|
14.1 |
13.1 |
|
Frozen & Chilled |
|
16.8 |
15.2 |
|
Retail & wholesale |
|
30.9 |
28.3 |
|
Foodservice |
|
28.0 |
22.8 |
|
Corporate |
|
(5.5) |
(5.9) |
|
Group adjusted operating profit(4) |
|
38.0 |
34.0 |
|
Ambient |
|
12.0 |
11.1 |
|
Frozen & Chilled |
|
11.8 |
10.4 |
|
Retail & wholesale |
|
23.8 |
21.5 |
|
Foodservice |
|
19.9 |
18.7 |
|
Corporate |
|
(5.7) |
(6.1) |
(4) Group and divisional EBITDA and operating profit/(loss) adjusted for management charge, acquisition, restructuring expenses, amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition, share-based payments and compensation for post-combination services. For more information on alternative performance measures please see the glossary at the end of the announcement.
Retail & Wholesale division
The Group's Ambient and Frozen & Chilled product businesses, which serve the Retail & Wholesale sector of the grocery market, saw combined revenue increase by 3.0% reaching £475.1 million (FY 2024: £440.1 million). The growth was driven by new customers as well as higher ice cream sales, which coincided with the prolonged dry weather through the summer trading period.
Foodservice division
Set out below is the financial performance of the division for the period included in the like for like is revenue and associated profit from Total Foodservice (TFS) that is now within the combined business numbers for Miller Foodservice because of the financial integration of the two businesses:
|
|
FY 2025 £m
|
FY 2024 £m |
|
Divisional revenue |
349.6 |
223.6 |
|
Like for like (including TFS) |
203.2 |
210.5 |
|
Creed |
146.4 |
13.1 |
|
|
FY 2025 £m
|
FY 2024 £m |
|
Divisional adjusted EBITDA(4) |
28.0 |
22.8 |
|
Like for like (including TFS) |
15.2 |
21.5 |
|
Creed |
12.8 |
1.3 |
|
|
FY 2025 £m
|
FY 2024 Audited £m |
|
Divisional adjusted operating profit(4) |
19.9 |
18.7 |
|
Like for like (including TFS) |
10.0 |
17.6 |
|
Creed |
9.9 |
1.1 |
Creed Foodservice produced a robust performance with year-on-year growth in both revenue and operating profit. The Foodservice division benefitted from the operational and commercial integration with Creed, which supported sales growth through the utilisation of the Group's nationwide delivery infrastructure.
The division's performance was affected by softer demand from leisure and hospitality customers. Like-for-like revenues were c.£203.2 million for the period (including the full period revenues from TFS), resulting in a decrease in reported like-for-like sales from £210.5 million.
As previously reported, the move to the South West distribution centre incurred some unplanned costs in the period, as well as additional right of use asset depreciation, with two freeholds being replaced by the new leasehold premises.
Operational review
The integration of Creed Foodservice, the consolidation of foodservice depots in the North and the consolidation of operations into the new 80,000 sq. ft Foodservice distribution centre in the South West have been the key operational projects during the period.
The new South West distribution centre is fully operational and meeting the required service levels. Although the integration took longer than anticipated, the higher-than-expected costs have been worked through and are being managed. The implementation of IT and technological improvements will provide future opportunities for growth and operational efficiency.
Strategy
Kitwave remains committed to its strategy of pursuing strategic acquisitions to sustainable growth, while also fostering organic growth through investment in infrastructure and technology.
The national footprint and integration work completed during the period provides the platform to further our long-term strategic aims. We would expect further opportunities to enhance operational efficiencies across the Group, ensuring we continue to provide service excellence to all our customers while maintaining sustainable growth.
Ben Maxted
Chief Executive Officer
22 January 2026
Condensed consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income
|
|
Note |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
2 |
|
|
802,685 |
663,652 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
|
|
(619,472) |
(515,832) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
|
183,213 |
147,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating income |
3 |
|
|
92 |
603 |
|
Distribution expenses |
|
|
|
(80,559) |
(63,473) |
|
Administrative expenses |
|
|
|
(71,058) |
(56,146) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit |
|
|
|
31,688 |
28,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysed as: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
53,423 |
45,229 |
|
Amortisation of intangible assets |
4 |
|
|
(3,563) |
(1,527) |
|
Depreciation |
4 |
|
|
(15,246) |
(11,068) |
|
Acquisition expenses |
4 |
|
|
(77) |
(2,153) |
|
Compensation for post combination services |
4 |
|
|
(131) |
(324) |
|
Share based payment expense |
4 |
|
|
(312) |
(1,244) |
|
Restructuring expenses |
4 |
|
|
(2,406) |
(109) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating profit |
|
|
|
31,688 |
28,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance expenses |
|
|
|
(9,317) |
(6,276) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax |
|
|
|
22,371 |
22,528 |
|
Tax on profit on ordinary activities |
|
|
|
(5,746) |
(5,810) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the financial period |
|
|
|
16,625 |
16,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income |
|
|
|
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the period |
|
|
|
16,625 |
16,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share (pence) |
5 |
|
|
20.1 |
23.5 |
|
Diluted earnings per share (pence) |
5 |
|
|
20.1 |
22.5 |
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
|
|
|
|
31 October 2025 Unaudited |
31 October 2024 |
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
105,967 |
105,717 |
|
Intangible assets |
|
|
27,163 |
30,554 |
|
Tangible assets |
|
|
28,809 |
29,096 |
|
Right-of-use assets |
|
|
57,138 |
50,869 |
|
Investments |
|
|
27 |
42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
219,104 |
216,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
44,651 |
47,749 |
|
Trade and other receivables |
|
|
95,528 |
91,122 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
952 |
4,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
141,131 |
143,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
360,235 |
359,286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Other interest bearing loans and borrowings |
|
|
(18,295) |
(27,821) |
|
Lease liabilities |
|
|
(12,224) |
(10,244) |
|
Trade and other payables |
|
|
(99,647) |
(102,083) |
|
Tax payable |
|
|
(1,290) |
(1,127) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(131,456) |
(141,275) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Other interest bearing loans and borrowings |
|
|
(40,000) |
(40,000) |
|
Lease liabilities |
|
|
(47,395) |
(43,323) |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
(9,400) |
(10,143) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(96,795) |
(93,466) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
(228,251) |
(234,741) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets |
|
|
131,984 |
124,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company |
|
|
|
|
|
Called up share capital |
|
|
837 |
804 |
|
Share premium account |
|
|
94,324 |
94,185 |
|
Consolidation reserve |
|
|
(33,098) |
(33,098) |
|
Share based payment reserve |
|
|
359 |
3,240 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
69,562 |
59,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
131,984 |
124,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed consolidated statement of change in equity
|
|
Called up share capital |
Share premium account |
Consolidation reserve |
Share based payment reserve |
Profit and loss account |
Total equity |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 November 2023 (audited) |
700 |
64,183 |
(33,098) |
2,042 |
50,618 |
84,445 |
|
Total comprehensive income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit |
- |
- |
- |
- |
16,718 |
16,718 |
|
Other comprehensive income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
16,718 |
16,718 |
|
New share issuance |
104 |
31,563 |
- |
- |
- |
31,667 |
|
Costs directly attributable to new shares issues |
- |
(1,561) |
- |
- |
- |
(1,561) |
|
Dividends |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(7,922) |
(7,922) |
|
Share based payment expense |
- |
- |
- |
1,198 |
- |
1,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contribution by and transactions with the owners |
104 |
30,002 |
- |
1,198 |
(7,922) |
23,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31 October 2024 (audited) |
804 |
94,185 |
(33,098) |
3,240 |
59,414 |
124,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit |
- |
- |
- |
- |
16,625 |
16,625 |
|
Other comprehensive income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
16,625 |
16,625 |
|
Transaction with owners, recorded directly in equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New share issuance |
33 |
139 |
- |
(3,104) |
3,104 |
172 |
|
Dividends |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(9,581) |
(9,581) |
|
Share based payment expense |
- |
- |
- |
223 |
- |
223 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contribution by and transactions with the owners |
33 |
139 |
- |
(2,881) |
(6,477) |
(9,186) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31 October 2025 (unaudited) |
837 |
94,324 |
(33,098) |
359 |
69,562 |
131,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed consolidated cash flow statement
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
Cash flow from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period |
|
|
|
16,625 |
16,718 |
|
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortisation |
|
|
|
18,809 |
12,595 |
|
Financial expense |
|
|
|
9,317 |
6,276 |
|
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
(48) |
(573) |
|
Net gain on remeasurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
|
|
|
(48) |
(30) |
|
Compensation for post combination services |
|
|
|
131 |
324 |
|
Equity settled share based payment expense |
|
|
|
270 |
1,244 |
|
Taxation |
|
|
|
5,746 |
5,810 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,802 |
42,364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase) in trade and other receivables |
|
|
|
(2,351) |
(8,712) |
|
Decrease/(increase) in inventories |
|
|
|
3,098 |
(2,392) |
|
Increase in trade and other payables |
|
|
|
1,191 |
6,755 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,740 |
38,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax paid |
|
|
|
(6,324) |
(6,612) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash inflow from operating activities |
|
|
|
46,416 |
31,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
(3,978) |
(7,275) |
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
409 |
3,513 |
|
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (including overdrafts and cash acquired) |
|
|
|
(6,287) |
(73,329) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash outflow from investing activities |
|
|
|
(9,856) |
(77,091) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of new shares |
|
|
|
120 |
30,106 |
|
Proceeds from new loan |
|
|
|
- |
20,000 |
|
Net movement in bank trade loan |
|
|
|
(7,750) |
7,750 |
|
Net movement in invoice discounting |
|
|
|
(1,776) |
13,666 |
|
Interest paid |
|
|
|
(9,085) |
(6,121) |
|
Repayment of lease liabilities |
|
|
|
(11,673) |
(8,327) |
|
Dividends paid |
|
|
|
(9,581) |
(7,922) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities |
|
|
|
(39,745) |
49,152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
(3,185) |
3,464 |
|
Opening cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
4,137 |
673 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at period end |
|
|
|
952 |
4,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
Kitwave Group plc (the "Company") is a public company limited by shares and incorporated, domiciled and registered in England in the UK. The registered number is 9892174 and the registered address is Unit S3, Narvik Way, Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 7XJ.
The Company's principal activity is to act as a holding company for its subsidiaries (together "the Group"), which together make up the Group's consolidated financial information.
The condensed consolidated financial information presented in this statement for the twelve months ended 31 October 2025 are neither audited nor reviewed.
The comparative financial information in the condensed consolidated financial information in respect of the year ended 31 October 2024 have been extracted from the 2024 financial statements. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2024 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The condensed consolidated financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006 and does not include all the information required for the full annual financial statements. Selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in the Group's financial position and performance since the last annual consolidated financial statements.
There have been no new accounting standards or changes to existing accounting standards applied for the first time which have a material effect on these interim results.
The critical accounting estimates and judgements affecting the Group are unchanged from those set out in the Group's last annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024.
The Directors have reviewed financial forecasts and are satisfied that the Group has sufficient levels of financial resources available to both fund operations and to pursue its stated growth strategy. The Directors are confident that the Group will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future and therefore adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information.
The accounting policies applied in preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial information are the same as those applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024, as described in those financial statements.
· Ambient: Provides delivered wholesale of ambient food, drink and tobacco products;
· Frozen & Chilled: Provides delivered wholesale of frozen and chilled food products; and
· Foodservice: Provides delivered wholesale of alcohol, frozen and chilled food to trade customers.
Corporate contains the central functions that are not devolved to the business units.
The segments share a commonality in service being delivered wholesale of food and drink products. The Group therefore benefits from a range of expertise, cross-selling opportunities and operational synergies in order to run each segment as competitively as possible.
The Group's forward-looking strategy is to provide enhanced customer service by making available the wider Group product range to its existing customer base. As a result, the Board assess the segments based on customer type with the customers in the Ambient and Frozen & Chilled divisions operating in the retail and wholesale channels.
The following analysis shows how this is monitored whilst demonstrating the link to the previously reported segmental information which continues to be monitored by the Board alongside the segments based on customer type.
Each segment is measured on its adjusted operating profit and internal management reports are reviewed monthly by the Board. This performance measure is deemed the most relevant by the Board to evaluate the results of the segments relative to entities operating in the same industry.
|
Year ended 31 October 2025
|
Ambient |
Frozen & Chilled |
Total retail & wholesale |
Foodservice |
Corporate |
Total |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
205,755 |
247,365 |
453,120 |
349,565 |
- |
802,685 |
|
Inter-segment revenue |
17,194 |
4,816 |
22,010 |
3,556 |
- |
25,566 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenue |
222,949 |
252,181 |
475,130 |
353,121 |
- |
828,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment gross profit |
32,084 |
52,705 |
84,789 |
98,424 |
- |
183,213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA* |
14,088 |
16,845 |
30,933 |
27,997 |
(5,507) |
53,423 |
|
Amortisation of intangibles |
- |
(70) |
(70) |
(28) |
(53) |
(151) |
|
Depreciation |
(2,076) |
(5,013) |
(7,089) |
(8,010) |
(147) |
(15,246) |
|
Adjusted operating profit* |
12,012 |
11,762 |
23,774 |
19,959 |
(5,707) |
38,026 |
|
Group management charge |
(1,968) |
(2,051) |
(4,019) |
(2,751) |
6,770 |
- |
|
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(3,412) |
(3,412) |
|
Acquisition expense |
- |
- |
- |
(77) |
- |
(77) |
|
Compensation for post combination services |
- |
(131) |
(131) |
- |
- |
(131) |
|
Share based payment expense |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(312) |
(312) |
|
Restructuring costs |
(28) |
(336) |
(364) |
(1,864) |
(178) |
(2,406) |
|
Interest expense |
(1,200) |
(2,101) |
(3,301) |
(2,763) |
(3,253) |
(9,317) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit/(loss) before tax |
8,816 |
7,143 |
15,959 |
12,504 |
(6,092) |
22,371 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets |
54,483 |
62,830 |
117,313 |
121,195 |
121,727 |
360,235 |
|
Segment liabilities |
(35,235) |
(54,314) |
(89,549) |
(85,133) |
(53,621) |
(228,303) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment net assets |
19,248 |
8,516 |
27,764 |
36,062 |
68,106 |
131,932 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Within Corporate assets is £105,967,000 of goodwill on consolidation. This is allocated to the trading segments as follows: |
||||||
|
Goodwill by segment |
13,516 |
12,539 |
26,055 |
79,912 |
- |
105,967 |
|
Year ended 31 October 2024
|
Ambient |
Frozen & Chilled |
Total retail & wholesale |
Foodservice |
Corporate |
Total |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
204,568 |
235,511 |
440,079 |
223,573 |
- |
663,652 |
|
Inter-segment revenue |
18,463 |
4,355 |
22,818 |
1,242 |
- |
24,060 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenue |
223,031 |
239,866 |
462,897 |
224,815 |
- |
687,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment gross profit |
31,613 |
52,353 |
83,966 |
63,854 |
- |
147,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA* |
13,125 |
15,215 |
28,340 |
22,797 |
(5,908) |
45,229 |
|
Amortisation of intangibles |
- |
(74) |
(74) |
(6) |
(50) |
(130) |
|
Depreciation |
(2,010) |
(4,781) |
(6,791) |
(4,118) |
(159) |
(11,068) |
|
Adjusted operating profit* |
11,115 |
10,360 |
21,475 |
18,673 |
(6,117) |
34,031 |
|
Group management charge |
(1,968) |
(2,051) |
(4,019) |
(2,751) |
6,770 |
- |
|
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,397) |
(1,397) |
|
Acquisition expense |
- |
- |
- |
(447) |
(1,706) |
(2,153) |
|
Compensation for post combination services |
- |
(324) |
(324) |
- |
- |
(324) |
|
Share based payment expense |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,244) |
(1,244) |
|
Restructuring costs |
- |
(103) |
(103) |
(6) |
- |
(109) |
|
Interest expense |
(1,099) |
(1,948) |
(3,047) |
(1,204) |
(2,025) |
(6,276) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit/(loss) before tax |
8,048 |
5,934 |
13,982 |
14,265 |
(5,719) |
22,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets |
49,876 |
61,691 |
111,567 |
111,927 |
135,792 |
359,286 |
|
Segment liabilities |
(37,363) |
(58,531) |
(95,894) |
(79,212) |
(59,635) |
(234,741) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment net assets |
12,513 |
3,160 |
15,673 |
32,715 |
76,157 |
124,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Within Corporate assets is £105,717,000 of goodwill on consolidation. This is allocated to the trading segments as follows: |
||||||
|
Goodwill by segment |
13,516 |
12,539 |
26,055 |
79,662 |
- |
105,717 |
An analysis of revenue by destination is given below:
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom |
|
|
|
800,310 |
659,833 |
|
Overseas |
|
|
|
2,375 |
3,819 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group revenue |
|
|
|
802,685 |
663,652 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No one customer accounts for more than 7% (FY 2024: 8%) of Group revenue.
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain on disposal of fixed assets |
|
|
|
48 |
573 |
|
Net gain on remeasurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
|
|
|
48 |
30 |
|
Net (loss) on foreign exchange |
|
|
|
(4) |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92 |
603 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of tangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned |
|
|
|
3,742 |
3,052 |
|
Right-of-use assets |
|
|
|
11,504 |
8,016 |
|
Amortisation of intangible assets |
|
|
|
151 |
1,527 |
|
Expenses relating to short term leases and low value assets |
|
|
|
2,570 |
2,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Group incurred a number of expenses not relating to the principal trading activities of the Group as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
Exceptional expenses |
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition expenses |
|
|
|
77 |
2,153 |
|
Compensation for post combination services |
|
|
|
131 |
324 |
|
Restructuring expenses |
|
|
|
2,406 |
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total exceptional expenses |
|
|
|
2,614 |
2,586 |
|
Share based payment expense |
|
|
|
312 |
1,244 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total exceptional expenses and share based payments |
|
|
|
2,926 |
3,830 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Board consider the exceptional items to be non-recurring in nature. Both exceptional and share-based payment expenses are adjusted for in the statement of profit and loss to arrive at the adjusted EBITDA. This measure provides the Board with a better understanding of the Group's operating performance.
Acquisition expenses in the prior period include the legal and professional fees connected to the acquisition of WLG (Holdings) Limited, Total Foodservice Solutions Limited and Creed Catering Supplies Limited.
Compensation for post-combination services relates to the value of a liability in connection to the acquisition of the remaining share capital of Central Supplies (Brierley Hill) Ltd. The remaining share capital has now been acquired in full.
Share-based payments relate to the Management Incentive Plan ("MIP") and Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and are non-cash expenses.
Restructuring expenses in the period relate to redundancy and operational restructuring costs across the Group.
Basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 October 2025, and the previous year ended 31 October 2024 is calculated by dividing profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during each period (as calculated below).
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share for the year ended 31 October 2025, and the previous year ended 31 October 2024 is calculated by dividing profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, adjusted for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. In this case, dilutive potential ordinary shares include issued equity warrants outstanding during each period and shares that may vest under the terms of equity incentive plans (as calculated below).
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to all shareholders |
|
|
|
16,625 |
16,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
pence |
pence |
|
Basic earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
20.1 |
23.5 |
|
Diluted earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
20.1 |
22.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic) during the period |
|
|
|
82,586,976 |
71,034,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) during the period |
|
|
|
82,726,767 |
74,453,758 |
Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share is calculated below on the grounds that it is a metric used by the market in monitoring the Group and similar businesses. These figures are relevant to the Group and are provided to enable comparison to similar businesses. Amortisation of acquired intangibles and share based payment charges are deemed to be non-cash at the point of recognition, and exceptional items by their very nature are considered non-recurring by the Board. Together with acquisition costs, these are excluded to derive the adjusted earnings per share and to assist with the understanding of underlying trading.
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to all shareholders |
|
|
|
16,625 |
16,718 |
|
Exceptional and share based payment expenses net of tax |
|
|
|
4,806 |
4,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted profit attributable to ordinary shareholders |
|
|
|
21,431 |
21,277 |
|
|
|
|
|
Pence |
pence |
|
Basic adjusted earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
25.9 |
30.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more information on this alternative performance measure, please see the glossary at the end of the announcement.
Alternative performance measure glossary
This report provides alternative performance measures ("APMs"), which are note defined or specified under the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards. The Board believes that these APMs provide readers with important additional information on the Group.
|
Alternative performance measure |
Definition and purpose |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Adjusted operating profit |
Represents the operating profit prior to exceptional expenses, share based payment expenses and amortisation of intangible assets recognised on acquisitions. This measure is consistent with how the Group measures performance and is reported to the Board.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
Represents the operating profit prior to exceptional (income) / expenses, share based payment expenses, fixed asset depreciation and intangible amortisation. This measure is consistent with how the Group measures trading and cash generative performance and is reported to the Board.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Pre-tax operational cash conversion |
Represents the cash generated from operating activities pre-tax as a proportion of cash flow from operating activities pre-movements in working capital and tax. This measure informs the Board of the Group's cash conversion from operating activities and is used to monitor liquidity by the Board.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
After tax return on invested capital |
Represents adjusted profit after tax for the 12 months ending on the period end date as a proportion of invested capital as at the period end date. This measure informs the Board of how effective the Group is in generating returns from the capital invested.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Return on net assets |
Represents adjusted profit after tax as a proportion of the Group's investment in fixed assets and working capital. This measure informs the Board of how effective the Group is in generating returns from its fixed assets and net working capital.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Adjusted operating profit |
|
38,026 |
34,031 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Tax charge at effective rate of tax of 25% (2024: 25%) |
|
(9,507) |
(8,508) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Adjusted operating profit after tax (1) |
|
28,519 |
25,523 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Fixed assets and net working capital comprising: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Intangible assets* |
|
639 |
618 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Fixed assets |
|
28,809 |
29,096 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Right-of-use assets |
|
57,138 |
50,869 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Investments |
|
27 |
42 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Inventories |
|
44,651 |
47,749 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Trade and other receivables |
|
95,528 |
91,122 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Trade and other payables |
|
(99,699) |
(102,083) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Liability for post combination services** |
|
- |
906 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Total invested capital (2) |
|
127,093 |
118,319 |
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After tax return on invested capital (1) divided by (2) |
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22% |
22% |
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*excluding acquired intangibles arising on acquisition **adjustment to exclude the liability for post combination services from trade and other payables
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Leverage
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Management assess leverage by reference to adjusted EBITDA against net debt including and excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities and including the liability for post combination services held within other creditors. This indicates how much income is available to service debt before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
In addition to the assessment of leverage as aligned to the bank leverage covenant calculation including all lease liabilities, Management also assess leverage excluding lease liabilities arising on application of IFRS 16. Included in the above are the total lease liabilities, and separately those arising on application of IFRS 16 ("IFRS 16 lease liabilities") to calculate both metrics.
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Adjusted earnings per share
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Profit attributable to the equity holders of the Group prior to exceptional items and share based payments through the consolidated statement of profit and loss, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares during the financial year.
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