Planet Organic founder Renée Elliott has stepped back from the business for the second time, after helping to deliver a “fantastic” turnaround plan.
Elliott left the business, along with husband Brian, at the end of the company’s financial year last week. It’s understood that her departure was planned, following the business’s return to stability.
MD Mark Broomfield – who was appointed in May 2024 – will lead the business, alongside a new-look leadership team. The Grocer understands Elliott retains no ownership stake in the business.
“We’re so grateful for what Renée and Brian have done,” Broomfield told The Grocer. “The pair of them have done an absolutely fantastic job in the last two-and-a-half years and been integral to the recovery of the business.
“It was always part of the plan, we’ve got an exciting year ahead. We’re in probably better financial health than we’ve arguably ever been,” Broomfield said.
Elliott – who founded Planet Organic in the late nineties – returned to save the business from administration in 2023, as the face of an investor buyout. Her turnaround has focused on returning Planet to its organic roots and reducing its costs.
It’s included a total review of its range, which saw big-name brands such as Huel and Little Moons delisted. Planet has also worked to reduce its onerous lease costs, leading to the closure of its store in Balham and relocation of its original store in Westbourne Grove.
Planet Organic’s ‘exciting’ plans
Its last full-year accounts showed losses had slowed “significantly” year on year, with the business predicting a potential return to profit this year.
Planet Organic – which files as Bioren – closed its 2024/2025 financial year last week, on “like-for-like” growth, Broomfield said. The company would publish full performance results in January.
While there had been some bumps in the road – most notably the unexpected closure of its store in Spitalfields – Planet had enjoyed “really strong growth” during the past year.
Over the next year it would upgrade systems across its remaining eight stores and continue to hone its range, Broomfield said.
“There are lots of really exciting plans,” Broomfield said. “The next 12 months will be about refurbishing stores, internally and externally rebranding the business, looking at training, looking at systems and so on.
“Then we’ll be looking at growth. So within the next two years, we’re hoping to look at new stores.”
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