JJ Foodservice reports 22.5% rise in sales

JJ Foodservice is celebrating a 22.5% rise in sales for the year ending 31 March after posting £270 million in the period.

The foodservice wholesaler attributes growth to several factors including the re-opening of the hospitality sector after the coronavirus pandemic and the retention of new consumers gained. 

Alongside the return to relative normality, other contributing factors include an increase in JJ’s own-brand sales and maintaining close relationships with suppliers to maintain stock levels despite supply chain disruption.

In the wholesaler’s last financial year, 36% of total sales came from JJ own-brand products – representing an increase of 20% for the same period – the previous year.

The own-brand range offers JJ a better gross profit margin, even after passing on some of the savings to customers, thereby contributing significantly to turnover and profits.

Popular own-brand lines include Super Crisp chips, Letsdough bakery and VIVAT water. Warmer for Longer Chips ­– part of the Super Crisp chips’ family – was also launched at the height of the pandemic to help the buoyant delivery market to keep chips hot in transit. 

Meanwhile, a host of new lines were added during last year’s supply chain disruptions, including new takeaway boxes and microwaveable containers.  

This was all backed up by product availability remaining at a robust 98.7% despite the disruptions.  

“Our customers have recognised the savings they can make by shopping own brand,” said Chief Finance Officer Edward Lanham.

“We have more than 600 private label products, which offer high quality, great value alternatives to many leading brands.”

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