Produce wholesaler Cotswold Fayre fell to a loss last year as it implemented a long-term strategy to “focus on core channels and expand into new ones”.
For the year to 31 March 2025, the group suffered a loss after tax of £514.2k, down from a profit of £93k in the year prior, according to the latest figures filed at Companies House. Turnover rose by £900k to £27.2m.
Its farm shop retail business, Flourish, which operates two foodhalls and kitchens, reported a loss after tax of £699.6k. However, sales were up 48% and the average basket spend increased year on year.
Cotswold Fayre’s wholesale arm, which supplies independent retailers with fine and specialty food, made a profit of £189.4k for the period. However, this was down from the £412.1k delivered in the year prior.
The wholesaler also experienced a 1% fall in revenue over the period, driven primarily by external factors, including the anticipated closure of a non-core customer and ”ongoing macroeconomic headwinds” affecting exports to the Far East, the group said.
This occurred alongside the implementation of its long-term strategy, aimed at ”accelerating commercial growth” and advancing its sustainability commitment.
To support the transition, the group streamlined team structures and invested in talent and technology, which it said resulted in an expected short-term reduction in profit.
However, Cotswold Fayre confirmed that these investments have ”already begun to deliver returns, with strong growth in a key channel and several new account wins in the second half of the year”.
”These developments position us well for sustained momentum, with sales forecast to grow at a strong double-digit rate in the coming year.”
In the year ahead, the group plans to grow revenue in its wholesale division as it looks for opportunities for additional sites across its retail arm.
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