RNS Number : 8718P
Kitwave Group PLC
22 January 2026
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 Unaudited £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 www.kitwave.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 191 259 2277
Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nominated Adviser and Sole Broker) Bobbie Hilliam Harry Rees Elizabeth Halley-Stott
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8150
Yellow Jersey PR (Financial media and PR) Charles Goodwin Shivantha Thambirajah kitwave@yellowjerseypr.com
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 2025Unaudited £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 2025Unaudited £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 2025Unaudited £m
FY 2024Audited £m
Divisional revenue
349.6
223.6
Like for like (including TFS)
203.2
210.5
Creed
146.4
13.1
FY 2025Unaudited £m
FY 2024Audited £m
Divisional adjusted EBITDA(4)
28.0
22.8
Like for like (including TFS)
15.2
21.5
Creed
12.8
1.3
FY 2025Unaudited £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
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£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 Audited
£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 2025Unaudited
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
1 Accounting policies
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.
1.1 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
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.
1.2 Accounting policies
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.
2 Segmental information
The following analysis by segment is presented in accordance with IFRS 8 on the basis of those segments whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Executive Board (the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by IFRS 8) to assess performance and make strategic decisions about allocation of resources.
The Group has the following operating segments:
· 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.
These segments offer different products that attract different margins. They each have separate management teams.
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.
2 Segmental information (continued)
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
2 Segmental information (continued)
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:
Geographical information:
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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.
3 Other operating income
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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
4 Expenses
Included in profit/loss are the following:
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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.
5 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
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 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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.
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£000
£000
Total operating profit
31,688
28,804
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition
3,412
1,397
Acquisition expenses
77
2,153
Compensation for post combination services
131
324
Share based payment expense
312
1,244
Restructuring expenses
2,406
109
Adjusted operating profit
38,026
34,031
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.
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£000
£000
Total operating profit
31,688
28,804
Amortisation of intangible assets
3,563
1,527
Depreciation
15,246
11,068
Acquisition expenses
77
2,153
Compensation for post combination services
131
324
Share based payment expense
312
1,244
Restructuring expenses
2,406
109
Adjusted EBITDA
53,423
45,229
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.
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£000
£000
Net cash inflow from operating activities
46,416
31,403
Tax paid
6,324
6,612
Cash flow from operating activities pre-tax and compensation for post combination services (1)
52,740
38,015
Movement in working capital
(1,938)
4,349
Cash flow from operating activities pre-tax and compensation for post combination services and movement in working capital (2)
50,802
42,364
Pre-tax operational cash conversion (1) divided by (2)
104%
90%
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.
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£000
£000
Adjusted operating profit
38,026
34,031
Operating lease interest
(3,567)
(2,167)
34,459
31,864
Tax charge at effective rate of tax of 25% (2024: 25%)
(8,615)
(7,966)
Adjusted operating profit after tax (1)
25,844
23,898
Invested capital comprising:
Invoice discounting facilities
18,295
20,071
Lease liabilities
59,619
53,567
Revolving Credit Facility
40,000
40,000
Trade loan
-
7,750
Share capital
837
804
Share premium
94,324
94,185
Lesscash at bank and in hand
(952)
(4,137)
Total invested capital (2)
212,123
212,240
After tax return on invested capital (1) divided by (2)
12%
11%
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 31 October 2025 Unaudited
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
After tax return on invested capital (1) divided by (2)
22%
22%
*excluding acquired intangibles arising on acquisition **adjustment to exclude the liability for post combination services from trade and other payables
Leverage
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.
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£000
£000
Adjusted EBITDA
53,423
45,229
Invoice discounting advances
18,295
20,071
Lease liabilities
59,619
53,567
Revolving Credit Facility
40,000
40,000
Trade loans
-
7,750
Liability for post combination services
-
906
Contingent consideration
5,000
9,614
Cash at bank and in hand
(952)
(4,137)
Net debt
121,962
127,771
Leverage (including IFRS 16 debt)
2.3
2.8
IFRS 16 lease liabilities
47,854
43,151
Net debt excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities
74,108
84,620
Leverage (excluding IFRS 16 lease debt)
1.4
1.9
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.
Adjusted earnings per share
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.
Year ended 31 October 2025 Unaudited
Year ended 31 October 2024 Audited
£000
£000
Profit attributable to all shareholders
16,625
16,718
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition
3,412
1,397
Acquisition expenses
77
2,153
Compensation for post combination services
131
324
Share based payment expense
312
1,244
Restructuring expenses
2,406
109
Tax effect of above items
(1,533)
(668)
Adjusted profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
21,430
21,277
Number
Number
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic) during the period
82,586,976
71,034,498
Pence
pence
Basic adjusted earnings per ordinary share
25.9
30.0
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