Vitamin giant Vitabiotics sees sales jump towards £200m as profits swell
Vitabiotics, the vitamin giant led by former Dragons’ Den star Tej Lalvani, has seen a surge in sales towards the £200m mark during its latest financial year, with profits also on the rise. The London-based firm reported sales of £196.4m for 2023, according to accounts filed with Companies House well past the 30 September deadline. This is an increase from the previous turnover of £174.2m in 2022. In the UK, Vitabiotics’ sales rose from £65.8m to £78.1m and from £108.4m to £118.3m internationally, as reported by City AM. The results also reveal that the company’s pre-tax profit increased from £50.4m to £55.2m over the 12 months. Vitabiotics' accounts for 2024 are expected to be filed with Companies House by the end of September 2025. The company was established in 1971 by Kartar Lalvani and is currently managed by his son, Tej Lalvani, who featured on Dragons’ Den from 2017 to 2021. A statement approved by the board said: "The company’s overall sales figure of £196.5m reflects an impressive growth of 13 per cent in 2023." "UK national accounts sales delivered a substantial growth of 18 per cent, representing incremental sales of £12.4m, despite the company’s existing high share of the VMS [vitamins, minerals and supplements] market in the UK and the cost-of-living crisis." "The positive trend towards online sales continued strongly, with a growth in e-commerce sales of 37 per cent." "This helped to deliver a final UK turnover [of] £78.2m and the company maintained its position as the largest UK vitamin company by value sales." "Performance in key export markets remained strong, driven by exceptional growth in the Middle East and Asia, achieving a final export turnover of over £118.3m." "In Europe, Ukraine achieved a remarkable and commendable 84 per cent growth despite the devastating situation on the ground." "China [became] the company’s biggest overall export market with a growth of 33 per cent despite economic challenges in the region." "Market rollouts continued in 2023, notably with Wellman Conception Max, as well as the new launch of Pefectil Biotherpy Oil, an exciting development in the UK’s leading beauty supplement brand to expand into topical skincare."
Owner of UK's favourite crisps brand sees monster sales surge
Walkers, the UK's leading crisps brand, has reported a surge in sales of over £60m during its most recent financial year. The Pepsi-owned company, which divides its UK accounts across three entities, has just disclosed its 2023 results, well beyond the 30 September deadline set by Companies House. Walkers Snack Foods, the manufacturing division, posted a turnover of £359m for 2023, up from £309.7m in the previous 12 months. This increase was attributed to the reimbursement of increased costs associated with manufacturing activities, as reported by City AM. Pre-tax profit also rose from £28.3m to £31.6m during the same period. Walkers Snacks, the sales and marketing division, reported a turnover of £228.2m for the year, up from £209.8m. However, its pre-tax profit fell from £90.8m to £56.8m. The division stated that its turnover increased due to higher commission earned "driven by favourable performance on snacks and grains" and higher reimbursement costs compared to 2022. It added that its pre-tax profit decreased primarily due to a £40m dividend it received in 2022, which was not repeated in 2023. This decline was partially offset by an increase in interest income in 2023 by £10m. Meanwhile, turnover at Walkers Snacks (Distribution) fell from £146.4m to £141.5m, while it went from making a £6m pre-tax profit to a loss of £1.6m. The division said its turnover declined "primarily due to [a] decrease in reimbursable costing [in] 2023 compared to 2022 related to warehousing services and distribution. Walkers was founded in Leicester in 1948 and was sold in 1970 to US-based Standard Brands. Almost 20 years later, the company was snapped up by Pepsico. As well as Walkers, the firm’s brands include Doritos, Frazzles, Monster Munch, Quavers and Wotsits. In January 2024, City AM reported that a Tax Tribunal had ruled Walkers' Sensations Poppadoms as 'similar to potato crisps', making them ineligible for zero-rated VAT. Walkers Snack Foods challenged an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) decision that certain products sold by the company are taxable at the standard rate. Walkers argued that these products should be zero-rated for VAT purposes as they fall within "item one of group one of part II to schedule eight VAT, being ‘food of a kind used for human consumption’". They maintained that their products do not fall within any of the excepted items in that group, while also arguing for zero-rating under the principle of fiscal neutrality. However, HMRC contended that the product falls within excepted item 5 of group I, as they are "products [similar to potato crisps, potato sticks, potato puffs] made from the potato, or from potato flour, or from potato starch" and are "packaged for human consumption without further preparation". Following the recent accounts for Walkers, City AM reported in October that KP Snacks, the maker of popular brands such as Mccoy’s, Hula Hoops and Terrell’s, saw its profits soar to nearly £100m during its latest financial year. The Slough-based company, which also owns brands like KP Nuts, Butterkist, Pom-Bear and Popchips, recorded a pre-tax profit of £93.7m for 2023, a significant increase from the £64.3m it posted in 2022.
Wizz Air passenger numbers soar despite planes being grounded due to engine issues
Wizz Air has reported a passenger count exceeding five million in December 2024, marking a 2% rise from the previous year, despite having to ground several planes due to engine issues. The FTSE 250-listed airline disclosed that it served 5.06 million customers last month, even with a 3.1% reduction in available seats compared to the previous December, bringing the total to approximately 5.8 million. This resulted in an occupancy rate of 86.5%, a significant increase from 82.1% at the end of 2023. "Early indications for our fourth quarter period, ending March 2025, remain positive, with bookings currently running ahead by over two percentage points versus this time last year," the budget carrier announced. This week, Wizz Air reached a settlement with engine maker Pratt & Whitney to resolve issues related to the ongoing grounding of about 40 aircraft due to engine problems. These difficulties are expected to continue into the 2026 financial year and stem from "powder metal issues" in the company’s geared turbofan engines. Pratt & Whitney has agreed to provide operational support and a compensation package to cover direct costs associated with the grounded planes. Meanwhile, discussions regarding future engine procurement are still in progress, according to Wizz Air. Following the engine setbacks, the airline has announced plans to purchase around 50 new Airbus A321NEOs, which will expand its seat capacity by roughly 20% and increase the proportion of this type of aircraft to 77% of Wizz Air's fleet, as reported by City AM. The company reported a 3.4 per cent drop in carbon dioxide emissions, with emissions per passenger falling by 4.1 per cent from the previous year to 53.7 grammes of carbon dioxide.
New hotel planned for historic Chinatown in Liverpool
A new boutique hotel could be opened in Liverpool's famous Chinatown under proposals lodged with the city council. The plans would see a two-storey extension to existing structures on Nelson Street to create a 25-bed boutique hotel. The site, encompassing two properties within a cluster of listed buildings, was formerly a Chinese restaurant. According to documents filed with Liverpool Council, the development could pay homage to its heritage by incorporating a tearoom. The site includes two Georgian terraced houses, each spanning four floors, and is part of a collection of Grade II listed buildings at 22, 24, and 26 Nelson Street, also lying within the Duke Street Conservation Area. A planning statement reveals that the applicant, who remains unnamed, is a "proud resident of Liverpool" driven by an "entrepreneurial desire to improve the place he calls home." The statement said: "The applicant has fond memories of Chinatown at its peak of activity 20 years ago and is saddened by the current state of the area. "The project at Nelson Street offers the applicant an opportunity for him to give back to his local community and to invest in not only the city, but a part of it which is of personal importance to him.", reports the Liverpool Echo. The plans to revitalise the property, currently in a state of disrepair, encompass transforming it into a multi-faceted venue that will serve as a tea room/restaurant and hotel with 26 accommodation units. This proposal includes a reception area, kitchen, linen store, and space for cycles and bins. Previously, the building hosted Chow's House Chinese restaurant before it closed. According to the planning documents, "The renovation project envisions the property as a 4* facility in the heart of the city centre, catering to the needs of visitors coming to Liverpool for both work and leisure. "The accommodation concept has been designed as an appealing experience to guests, ensuring their stay in the city is memorable and enjoyable. The tea room and restaurant will provide an authentic Chinese experience based on the owner's family and extensive visits to the far east." A verdict on the proposed development is anticipated from Liverpool Council's planning unit in the first quarter of this year.
What regeneration plans could mean for the last Wimpy in the North West
The last Wimpy restaurant in Merseyside has become a beacon for enthusiasts from across the UK and Ireland – but its future is uncertain as its home town awaits regeneration. Sanjay Chaddah's family has run the Birkenhead Wimpy for 30 years, and it's now the iconic brand's final bastion in the North West. Sanjay says patrons travel from across Britain and even from Dublin for the store's famous burgers, and have given it an array of five-star TripAdvisor reviews. But now franchisee Sanjay is waiting to find out what will happen to his restaurant as Wirral Council prepares to regenerate the Princes Parade area of Birkenhead town centre. With his adviser Andrew Moore, Sanjay is keen to engage with the council to ascertain the prospects for his restaurant—whether it will remain, relocate, or even need to close. They say they are frustrated at the progress of their conversations with the authority. The council itself says it will work with all affected tenants as plans are finalised, reports the Liverpool Echo. Sanjay said: "We've got a lot of loyal customers who say 'see you next year'. I don't know what to say to them." Wimpy, a British icon in the 1970s, boasted hundreds of restaurants across the country. Its beefeater mascot, Mr Wimpy, was a familiar sight on high streets and hosted countless children's parties. The first Wimpy Bar opened its doors in 1954, and the brand rapidly expanded globally, reaching Ireland, France, and South Africa. Every now and then, Wimpy's 1970s menu goes viral on social media, featuring items like the Shanty Bunch (36p), Delta Grill (36p), and Eggburger (23p), along with desserts such as the Knickerbocker Glory (25p) and the Brown Derby (just 17p). There were also several meal options featuring its round frankfurter sausage, then known as a Bender. The original chain was acquired by Burger King owner Grand Metropolitan in the late 1980s, and most UK Wimpies were converted to that rival burger brand. This transition was so swift that many people still believe the Wimpy brand disappeared entirely. However, a small number of Wimpies survived, primarily in Greater London, the South East, and Essex, but with branches as far away as Devon and Aberdeenshire. Wimpy also endured in South Africa, where it still operates hundreds of restaurants. In 2007, Famous Brands, the owner of Wimpy in South Africa, took over the British chain. Since then, the Wimpy network has seen periods of expansion and contraction. The Wimpy in Williamson Square in Liverpool city centre shut down in 2011. With the closure of other Wimpies in Bootle, Runcorn, and Salford, the Birkenhead branch now stands as the only Wimpy in the North West. The famous chain isn't disappearing anytime soon. It continues to open new restaurants, including one in Brighton this month. The brand remains much-loved by a group of enthusiasts, including this author who once embarked on a Scottish holiday solely to visit all its Wimpies and was quoted in Vice in 2021. This year, Anthony Zupnik from Leeds set out on a mission to visit every Wimpy in the UK as part of a charity fundraiser. Currently, there are over 60 Wimpies across the UK, with the chain estimating an annual usage of more than 25,000 litres of its secret recipe Wimpy Special Sauce. The nostalgia associated with Wimpy ensures that Sanjay's restaurant attracts regulars from across the UK and beyond. He said: "Last Saturday we had people from Portsmouth. In January we'll have people over from Ireland. They come and stay in Liverpool and have breakfast and tea here." He added: "It's the only Wimpy in the North West. The next one would be in Huddersfield. People come in just to see us. You come, Andy comes. There's a community that comes together." Sanjay estimates that 60% of his loyal customers are from Liverpool. He smiled: "We've got 'hardcore customers'. They come over especially. "We've got people staying in Liverpool who come over for breakfast and tea, for their evening meal. And there are so many restaurants in Liverpool! Check TripAdvisor. People from all different places will come up. TripAdvisor speaks for itself." The Wimpy in Birkenhead has garnered a slew of five-star reviews, often on a nostalgic theme. In November, a review by Paul C titled "Wimpy the King of all Burgers" said: "Spent the day in Birkenhead shopping centre and found this place as we were heading home. What a great surprise as I never knew Wimpy existed anymore." Another customer, Jonathan M, left feedback in October called "Best Burger in Birkenhead", saying: "After someone mentioned Wimpy in the Off Menu Podcast, I was reminded that I have a Wimpy local to where I work and I hadn't been here in over 30 years." He added: "I ordered the Mighty Meaty cheeseburger with bacon and bendy sausage with fries and I can say with all honesty, that this was the best burger I've eaten. Miles better than the other high street competitors." A local named Amalmond said in November: "We went there earlier this month as it was my late dad's birthday and his favourite place to eat, a real trip down memory lane." Tom B from Trowbridge highlighted the quality by stating it was "one of the best" Wimpies in the UK and is already planning another visit in "Jan 2025!" Despite its popularity, franchisee Sanjay faces challenges with foot traffic in Princes Pavement, which he notes is quieter than other areas of Birkenhead town centre. Wirral Council is facing the challenge of regenerating the town centre after purchasing the Pyramids and Grange shopping centres in 2023 for £10.5m. The old House of Fraser building, once a Birkenhead landmark, was taken down in January. Earlier this year, Pragma, a consultancy firm, labelled the shopping centres as "inherently dated". The council has since said the report is outdated and is now developing new strategies for the St Werburgh's area. Plans suggest substantial parts of the Pyramids could be replaced with new housing and retail spaces, potentially transforming Birkenhead into a standout destination and reinstating its status as Wirral’s hub for living, working and leisure. As the redevelopment progresses, the council has pledged to consult with all businesses involved. Andrew Moore from Moore Property Consulting, who is working with Sanjay Chaddah, said: "We have had protracted lease renewal discussions with them on whether they might offer Mr Chaddah a potential relocation or a new lease in existing premises." Both he and Sanjay say they want to work with the council to find a resolution. Sanjay is adamant he wants to keep the restaurant open, either at its current location or elsewhere in Birkenhead. If there's no place for Wimpy in Birkenhead, he wants to resolve the situation amicably and inform his customers. Sanjay stated: "We want a deal on the table where it's viable for me to stay or where it's viable for me to go." He added: "They (Wirral Council) are meant to be working for the public. Well, I'm the public, you're the public, the customers are the public. We're serving the public. People are coming in from Dublin, from all over the country. "If I'm going to close the unit I should give everybody good notice." Andrew wants the council to clarify the future of Princes Pavement so Sanjay and his family can make an informed decision. He commented: "It's a Catch-22 - they don't know whether to stay or go." Sanjay describes the centre as being in limbo while tenants await news of what will happen next. He believes the council should view Wimpy as a valuable asset and a business that should be encouraged to remain in the centre. He remarked: "If anything, I'm bringing people into the town centre. A lot of people come in, have something to eat, then have a little look around. "I don't understand if they don't want Wimpy here, or what their intentions are." A Wirral Council spokesperson said: "Masterplans are documents outlining potential options for the future and are not intended as definitive descriptions of how an area will be developed. They present an indication of how the authority would seek to improve the area and, in this case, make it a more attractive location for shopping, to visit and to live. "If and when any specific proposals are brought forward they will be subject to all the usual planning requirements and consultation with local businesses and residents, including working closely, where appropriate, with businesses if relocation may be required." Meanwhile, Sanjay continues to serve both loyal and new patrons at Merseyside's Wimpy, reminding customers that the beloved fast-food chain is still thriving in the region. The diverse menu offers something for everyone, from classic burgers to an all-day breakfast complete with a round frankfurter sausage, now named a Pork Bendy, and even vegetarian selections like the Beyond Meat burger. Dessert isn't forgotten either: the Brown Derby, a delightful combination of doughnut, ice cream, and chocolate sauce, now priced at £5.95, remains a popular option. But the most popular meal at Birkenhead Wimoy is another classic, Sanjay says: "Quarter pounder with cheese, with special sauce."
Seasalt bucks high street gloom as Cornish clothing brand reports strong Christmas sales
Despite the challenging conditions on the British high street, Cornish retailer Seasalt has reported a notable increase in sales over the Christmas season. The company achieved a 10% rise in total sales across its online platform, physical stores, and marketplace partners, such as M&S, during the last five weeks of the year. This growth was observed in every channel, with each setting new records for the Christmas period. Seasalt, known for its commitment to sustainable practices, quality craftsmanship, and Cornish heritage, operates 76 stores across the UK, as reported by City AM. Chief Paul Hayes attributed the strong sales performance to the company's resilience "in spite of" the current economic environment and declining high street footfall. In contrast to the average high street store, which saw a mere 0.1% sales growth in December, Seasalt's store revenues increased by 3% compared to the same period in 2023. However, Hayes warned that cost pressures are expected to be "significant" in the coming months, particularly following the Chancellor's Autumn budget statement. This necessitates a heightened focus on cost management to drive profitable growth. Similarly, high street bellwether Next announced that prices would rise by 1% over the coming year to cope with an additional £67m in its wage bill. Following in the footsteps of Next, Seasalt is reaping benefits from shifting its focus from the UK and embracing a robust international sales strategy. The company launched a collaboration with US retailer Nordstrom and inaugurated its first outpost in Falmouth, Massachusetts, as recently as September last year. As a B-corp accredited organisation, Seasalt reported that international markets contributed to 12% of its sales so far this year.