Success for Scottish firm across turbulent market
ABERDEENSHIRE-BASED ice cream producer Mackie’s of Scotland has announced an increase in its annual turnover for the year to May 2024.
During the time period, Mackie’s managed to increase its annual turnover by 7.2% to £22.3million, with an impressive 67% rise in profit before tax to £2.24million.
Mackie’s said it experienced significant growth across its product lines, with its ice cream sales up by 10%.
The bulk of this success has been put down to Mackie’s recent gains in UK distribution. During the time period, retail store chains such as Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco all stocked more of the brand’s flavours, seeing Mackie’s gain 400,000 new UK buyers during the financial year – according to Kantar WorldPanel.
Of course, Mackie’s remains a firm favourite north of the border as well. The brand’s ice cream was purchased by around 20% of households in Scotland – with a total 8% of UK household share as well, making it the fifth most popular ice cream brand in the UK, says Kantar.
Stuart Common, managing director at Mackie’s, said: “We’re always delighted to see new consumers buying Mackie’s products, but what’s been particularly encouraging is that they are becoming repeat buyers, which can only mean they are loving our classic and delicious ice cream.”
Mackie’s performance during the financial year becomes all the more impressive when considering the recent inflationary pressures all firms have been facing.
More specifically to Mackie’s, the Aberdeenshire firm said it has had to swallow some rising costs which will have had an impact on overall margins. This has included, but is certainly not limited to, the price of cream having reached an all-time high and a shortfall in cocoa crops causing the ingredient to skyrocket 300% in price.
These financial concerns won’t be slowing down as well for the firm. Mackie’s noted that it remains a Real Living Wage employer and operates a profit-sharing bonus scheme amongst employees and, with incoming changes to National Insurance contributions and annual hikes to wages, there will be a significant labour cost increase for the firm.
Despite this, Common remains positive about future prospects. He said: “Our long-term strategic focus continues to be driving sustainable growth. We prioritise reinvestment in our people, products and sustainability, aiming to ensure resilience in an evolving market.”
