Ringtons bucks UK retail trends
Family firm sees lift in turnover
A combination of traditional teas and new gifts and treats is helping family firm Ringtons buck UK retail trends and grow sales and profits.
The historic tea and biscuit company, which has a large warehouse based on Langthwaite Business Park, marks 119 years of trading this year.
The business – now run by members of the fifth generation who have been board members since July 2023 – has navigated a number of headwinds in recent years, including soaring inflation, the cost-of-living crisis and key commodity price rises.
However, the last year has seen the team work hard to counter the challenges, resulting in an 8% lift in turnover to £94.35million in the period ending June 27, 2025, while underlying profits rose 8.6% to £4.8million.
Total shareholder funders also increased 6.6% to £35.9million, while employee numbers grew 6.3% to 595.
Growth despite challenges
Julia Thompson, non-executive chair, said: “The overall message is we’ve had a good year of trading, with both the manufacturing, packaging side and the retail side contributing to that growth in the 12 months. Operating profit was £4.8million, with underlying growth of 8.6% which is a good result in relation to those headwinds and we’re certainly grateful to our colleagues who’ve worked very hard to help us achieve it.”
The directors explained how Ringtons has seen growth in the face of current challenges including increased price rises coffee and cocoa, which has triggered increases coming from suppliers ranging from 20 to 30%.
Significant costs
Director Tom Smith, who leads the firm’s sales and operations strategy, said: “We’re pleased with the results. The team have done a really great job of working hard and achieving those results in the face of some of that. But I think we’ll never be complacent, we always by nature look forward and see some of the some of the challenges ahead.
“There were some significant costs being felt in the financial year, and some of them are now here to stay, namely the national insurance increases and the impact of a new packaging tax which added £230,000 in the financial year. So, we need to work really hard to overcome these additional costs. And we would never compromise the quality because of the price increase.”
Over the last few years, the company has made data and technology-led investments, including expansion of its e-commerce offering. Alongside its traditional treats – like its chocolate crest biscuits and shortbread rounds – it has focussed on new products.
New additions
New additions include a growing list of gift sets, apple crumble cookies, porridge, limited edition savoury and sweet treats including oat crumble biscuits and cheese palmiers. As a result, e-commerce revenues have risen significantly and in the last financial year the company accrued £3million in sales purely through its website.
