Premier Foods’ CEO Alex Whitehouse has praised a “really good Christmas” of trading, as the company’s branded groceries, sweet treats and international divisions all achieved growth in Q3.
Branded revenues jumped 5.2% in the quarter, pushing overall growth to 4.2%, as the Oxo, Paxo and Mr Kipling owner won market share gains in both branded grocery and sweet treats.
Trading profit for the year is now expected to come at the higher end of current guidance, which remains unchanged at £193m–£198m.
“We had a really good Christmas with 5.2% branded revenue growth, accelerating our trend from the previous quarter,” said Whitehouse.
“These results demonstrated strong delivery against all pillars of our strategy, with consumers continuing to choose our brands for their quality and value.”
Whitehouse added the business’s product innovation programme was “particularly strong” in FY2026, with NPD including Oxo Bone Broth, Paxo Stuffing Wreath, Angel Delight Bubble Jelly and Mr Kipling Cake Bites tubs hitting the market.
Premium ranges such as Ambrosia Deluxe, The Spice Tailor and Mr Kipling Signature Mince Pies outperformed the market, as consumers traded up over the festive period.
Alongside 10% international sales growth, revenue from new categories – led by nutrition brand Fuel10k’s yoghurt and granola – increased 29% in the 13-week period ending 27 December.
All three of Premier’s latest acquisitions, including Fuel10k, The Spice Tailor, and Merchant Gourmet, grew sales by double digits.
“Our portfolio of brands offers consumers great options to cook and eat affordable, delicious meals at home and, together with our track record of performance through all economic cycles, firmly underpins confidence in our medium-term prospects,” said Whitehouse.
Shore Capital analyst Clive Black called the results “very pleasing”.
“At its H1 FY2026 results, Premier’s management spoke to an expectation of an acceleration in top-line progress in H2 after facing the summer headwinds, and, pleasingly, so it has come to pass,” he said.
Adding that the strong results had set Premier up for the “highly competitive” Q4 UK grocery market, Black noted he had been “surprised and disappointed” by investors’ lack of appreciation for the equity, a house stock for Shore Capital, which has a “very valuable assortment and a strong and strengthening balance sheet, debt-free in FY2027 forecast”.
Since hitting a five-year high of 212p in May 2025, Premier’s share price has slid steadily to reach 170p in January 2026, thanks in part to data showing aggregate volumes were slightly down in November and December.
“We see this price movement as both an anomaly and an opportunity to gain the benefit of capital appreciation in one breath, with this Q3 update as a spark for rating expansion,” said Black.
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