PFD Premier Foods Plc

18 July 2024

Premier Foods plc (the "Group" or the "Company")

Premier Foods today provides its Quarter 1 trading update for the thirteen weeks ended 29 June 2024

"We've delivered another quarter of strong branded sales growth, yet again demonstrating the strength of our portfolio and the effectiveness of our branded growth model.  During the quarter, we have gained both value and volume market share in Grocery and Sweet Treats, as more shoppers bought more of our leading brands, delivering good volume growth across our categories. Mr Kipling, Nissin and The Spice Tailor were standout performers, and we continued to launch new products across the portfolio. International sales grew by 24%, with strong growth in each of our overseas regions, and sales from new categories increased by 68%, led by Ambrosia porridge pots and Angel Delight ice-cream."

"As we look forward to the rest of the year, we have a strong set of marketing and product innovation plans for our brands in the UK and Ireland, while we continue to build distribution internationally. We expect to see more volume led branded sales growth in the coming quarters, further progress overseas and our expectations for the full year remain unchanged."

Grocery

Grocery revenue increased by 7.1% in the quarter, led by a strong branded performance, with branded sales growing by 8.6%. As expected, this volume led growth was due to continued strong execution of the branded growth model and partly reflecting sharper promotional pricing. Consequently, market share grew in both value and volume terms, and follows the track record of 200 basis points of share gains in the three years to FY23/24.

Many of the Group's Grocery brands delivered substantial growth, with Nissin and The Spice Tailor both contributing strongly to performance in the quarter. New product development in the period included Loyd Grossman Tomato & Mascarpone cooking sauces and The Spice Tailor Chinese kits. New categories revenue increased by 68% as Ambrosia Porridge pots continues to take a larger share of the category with more consumers building it into their morning routine. Angel Delight ice-cream was also boosted by the launch of the handheld format. Non-branded revenue declined (5.1%) partly due to consumers switching to brands and some contract exits.

Sweet Treats

Sweet Treats delivered sales of £59.9m in the quarter, 0.4% ahead of last year. Branded sales increased by 3.5% in the period, with market share increasing in both volume and value terms, partly reflecting more competitive promotional pricing of brands, winning consumers at the expense of own label. Mr Kipling Signature Brownie Bites continues to perform well in market and instore execution of both Mr Kipling and Cadbury cake was also a strong contributor of growth in the period. Product innovation launched in the quarter included Mr Kipling Caramel Tarts and Mr Kipling Strawberry & Cream Fancies. Non-branded sales were 16.0% lower reflecting the movement of consumers to brands and the impact of contract exits.

International

Overseas sales were strong, increasing by 24%⁴ compared to the prior year. North America revenue grew by 21% as Mr Kipling cake was rolled out across 800 stores in Canada and the first sales of The Spice Tailor commenced in the USA. EMEA delivered revenue growth of 6% with Germany being the latest country to achieve listings of The Spice Tailor, taking the total number of countries listing the brand to 11. Revenue also increased substantially in Australia, following the launch of new family-size Sharwood's Indian cooking sauces while, as previously reported, benefiting from a softer comparative period in cake associated with retailer de-stocking in the prior year.

The Group recently completed the signing of a new five year £227.5m revolving credit facility, effective July 2024 and replaces the previous £175m facility. This new agreement is on improved terms, attracting a margin⁶ of 2.0% above SONIA. The Group's cash guidance for FY24/25 remains unchanged.

As anticipated, the Group delivered further volume led revenue growth in the first quarter, accompanied by sharper promotional investment and market share gains. This year, the Group expects to deliver further volume led branded sales growth, progress against its strategic pillars and full year expectations for FY24/25 are unchanged.

Following the suspension of deficit contribution payments, the Group has a number of options to invest in the business at attractive returns to increase efficiency and innovation, while continuing to explore M&A opportunities and apply its progressive approach to dividends.

A conference call for investors and analysts hosted by Alex Whitehouse, CEO, and Duncan Leggett, CFO, will take place today, 18 July 2024, at 9:00am BST. Dial in details are outlined below. A recording of the conference call will be available on the Company's website later in the day:  www.premierfoods.co.uk/investors/results-centre

A Premier Foods image gallery is available using the following link:

www.premierfoods.co.uk/media/image-gallery/

As one of Britain's largest food producers, we're passionate about food and believe each and every day we have the opportunity to enrich life for everyone. Premier Foods employs over 4,000 people operating from 13 sites across the country, supplying a range of retail, wholesale, foodservice and other customers with our iconic brands which feature in millions of homes every day. 

Through some of the nation's best-loved brands, including Ambrosia, Batchelors, Bisto, Loyd Grossman, Mr Kipling, Oxo and Sharwood's, we're creating great tasting products that contribute to healthy and balanced diets, while committing to nurturing our people and our local communities, and going further in the pursuit of a healthier planet, in line with our Purpose of 'Enriching Life Through Food'. 

Contacts:

Institutional investors and analysts:

Duncan Leggett, Chief Financial Officer

Richard Godden, Director of Investor Relations

Investor.relations@premierfoods.co.uk

Media enquiries:

Lisa Kavanagh, Director of Communications

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

This announcement may contain "forward-looking statements" that are based on estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact or statements in the present tense, and can be identified by words such as "targets", "aims", "aspires", "assumes", "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "hopes", "may", "would", "should", "could", "will", "plans", "predicts" and "potential", as well as the negatives of these terms and other words of similar meaning. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement are made based upon Premier Foods' estimates, expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting the Group and subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Premier Foods Group's present and future business strategies and the environment in which it will operate, which may prove not to be accurate. Premier Foods cautions that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should, therefore, not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement apply only as at the date of this announcement and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. Premier Foods will update this announcement as required by applicable law, including the Prospectus Rules, the Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, London Stock Exchange and any other applicable law or regulations, but otherwise expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.