Mr Kipling sales soar as Premier Foods prepares for AGM
Mr Kipling sales soared 10 per cent in the first quarter of the financial year, boosting the revenue of parent company Premier Foods.
Overall group sales were up 1.1 per cent, and first quarter branded sales increased by 2.9 per cent, the company reported this morning.
Read more: Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods facing shareholder revolt over executive pay
Grocery sales, which includes brands such as Sharwoods and Bisto, were up 1.3 per cent to £123.1m while the firm’s cakes business rose 0.6 per cent to £51.7m.
The trading update comes as Premier Foods prepares for its annual general meeting today.
Shareholder advisory firm ISS has urged investors to vote against the company’s remuneration package over pay handed to former chief executive Gavin Darby.
Darby left the role on 31 January, after his departure was announced on 13 November last year. He was paid £864,000 in lieu of his 12-month notice period.
The former chief executive faced a huge shareholder revolt last year that saw 41 per cent of investors vote against his re-election.
Acting chief executive officer Alastair Murray said Premier Foods had an “encouraging start” to the year.
“As we previously noted, we are increasing our consumer marketing investment this year and both Mr Kipling and Batchelors have already benefited from TV advertising campaigns in the first quarter,” said Murray.
Read more: Mr Kipling owner boosted by Ambrosia and Loyd Grossman
“Many of our largest brands have built on strong category positions and grown market share, and we achieved branded growth in the quarter of nearly 3 per cent.
“These figures provide evidence that the Company’s strategy is delivering results. Our expectations for the full year remain unchanged.”