Own label specialist Northern Foods posts its results next week after what analysts are calling a bumper year. They're predicting Northern will be pleased with solid sales growth, largely due to its innovative new product development. "Shoppers are continuing to throng its ready meal and prepared food aisles. And those new products are enticing new consumers to put convenience style food in their trolleys as well as those who already do," said one analyst. "There's no doubt their increased market share in the supermarkets, and their ability to come up with the right products has given them a good year," said another. He's expecting profits to rise from last year's static £94.5m to a "healthier" £101m. And another said Northern had enjoyed a "stunning" last six months ­ largely due to its strong own label offering in the multiples. "M&S accounts for a third of Northern Foods' business, so we can expect a degree of its 4% increase in sales to have had a positive impact," he said, adding that the other key players had also upped their dealings with Northern. There seems to be no sign of the doom cast upon the company through aggressive price promotions. Last year chief executive Jo Stewart slammed the effects of deep promotional act-ivity on sales of own label products, and said he wanted less discounting on branded foods too. So he upped the price of Ski yogurt ­ even though its market share improved when it cost less. {{NEWS }}