Only the strong thrive

It’s been a turbulent year for the top 150 suppliers, with inflation and recession both hitting manufacturing hard. The big brands are rising to the challenge, but own label and smaller branded companies are struggling.

The UK’s top food and drink manufacturers are battling chaotic economic weather. One minute the barometer needle is pointed towards high pressure inflation and mounting costs, the next it has swung towards recessionary chill. Inevitably some are coping better than others. The big branded players have even enjoyed a few moments in the sun, reveals this year’s Top 150 Suppliers report produced for The Grocer by strategy consultancy OC&C. However the own-label giants have been enduring stormy weather for more than a year now and the clouds are starting to gather over the smaller branded players – with little respite in sight.