In its latest trade report, published today, Morrisons said sales of local suppliers’ foods had risen 30% in the past two years after signing deals with more than 200 farmers and other local food producers, and tailoring stores to reflect regional tastes. The supermarket's largely UK supply chain had also helped to keep prices competitive in a market where the falling pound has increased the cost of imported food.
How has Morrisons been Backing British Farming?
- Increased focus on selling British and local produce, and vision to extend this through new store layouts
- Local stores differentiated to reflect regional tastes and support local suppliers - deals agreed with 200 local suppliers, and 750 locally produced items stocked per year
- 30% increase in sales of local suppliers' foods
- 'Fair for Farmers' range has paid an extra £9m of income to farmers since 2015
- Announcement to sell only 100% fresh British Morrisons-branded meat
- Purchased British free-range egg packing business 'Chippindale Foods'
- Britishness as part of their business ethos - as a result, 68% Morrisons consumers 'prefer to buy British'
You can see Morrisons sourcing policies, and how other supermarkets compare by visiting our Back British Farming 'Sourcing Guide'
Overall, the chain made underlying pre-tax profits of £374m in the year to 4 February, £37m higher than in 2016. Wholesale deals with Amazon and the McColl’s convenience store chain as well as the development of small late-opening shops on its own supermarket petrol forecourts, and expanding its premium own label ‘The Best’ also helped drive a 5.8% rise in total sales in the year to £17.3bn. Sales at established stores, excluding fuel, rose 2.8%.
As a result of these strong performance figures, Morrisons has rewarded investors with a £238million payout as it ramps up British produce sales as 'an expression by the board of its confidence in the future.'
You can read Morrisons full report, here.