Petfood player Butcher’s Pet Care has bounced back into the black following stellar sales growth, driven by growth in its range and international reach.
The move back into profit was an “important milestone” following a “comprehensive turnaround and renewal programme”, said the petfood provider, which supplies natural food with its Butcher’s brand for dogs and more recently launched the Blink range for cats.
The company, which is understood to have hired investment bank Houlihan Lokey to explore strategic options last year, addressed “operational challenges” that had previously held back profitability.
This enabled the business to post an operating profit of £2.5m in the year to 31 July 2023 – up from a £4.8m loss.
The turnaround was also built on strong sales growth. Turnover rose from £108.4m to £138.4m as it posted the highest branded growth in the dog category, and continued rapid growth with its cat brand due to a rise in listings.
Additionally, its international business continued to grow from its base in Poland, boosting ex-UK sales from £7.6m to £10.2m.
“Our commitment to offering quality, naturally nourishing food at accessible prices has been the cornerstone of our success,” said CEO Tim Watsham.
“Since our brand repositioning in 2019, we’ve maintained a steadfast dedication to this ethos, building and growing a highly loyal shopper base which has sustained our long-term growth trajectory.”
He pointed to the launch of Butcher’s Health Heart range last year, which has said represented the most successful dog NPD of the year, as a key driver of incremental growth.
He added that the business has continued to outperform the wider category in value and volume growth in 2024.
“Butcher’s continues to expand its share in the dog category, offering affordable, naturally nourishing meals at a time when owners need them the most. Similarly, Blink’s rapid growth continues and with it a redefining of what true quality looks like in the cat food category,” he said.
“In the coming year we look forward to working collaboratively with our customers and continuing our long-term mission of nourishing every pet.”
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