Kitwave 'on track' after beating weaker demand

A wholesaler says it remains primed to crack trading targets following a pre-Easter boost.

Kitwave Group has hailed a “good first half” after shrugging off weaker demand.

And the North Shields-based national operator says its resilience will be augmented by the impact of a takeover.

Bosses say the firm overcame a slow start to its current financial period, which was hampered by reduced appetite for its hospitality-based foodservice division that supplies baked goods, fruit and vegetables, meats and dairy products.

However, they say an improved picture prior to Easter, allied to “robust” trading across its retail and wholesale arm – which supplies goods including chocolate bars and soft drinks – and the ongoing effect of its Creed Foodservice operation, bought for £70 million last year, leave it well placed.

Speaking in a trading update for the half-year to April 30, Ben Maxted, Kitwave Group chief executive, said: “It has been a good first half in terms of trading and operational performance, with the group on track to meet its full-year expectations.

“The integration of Creed is progressing well; the board is delighted with its quality and performance (and) the full benefits from the completed integration are scheduled to be achieved over the next two years.”

Kitwave Group operates nearly 40 depots nationally and includes the drinks wholesaler HB Clark, which has bases across the North East, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

It also previously bought M.J. Baker Foodservice, in Newton Abbot.

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