Duchy Originals, the UK organic firm set up by the Prince of Wales almost 20 years ago, has denied there are plans to sell the business to Waitrose, the upmarket retailer.
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Reports in the UK today (21 July) said that Duchy could be sold as early as this week, amid claims the business is suffering amid slowing demand for organic food in the country.
However, a Duchy spokesperson insisted there was to be “no takeover”.
“Like any food company Duchy Originals holds discussions with retailers and suppliers all the time,” the spokesperson told just-food. “Naturally, those discussions are confidential.”
Waitrose was equally coy. “We are in discussions with our suppliers all the time, but we are unable to comment on these due to their commercially sensitive nature,” a spokesperson told just-food.
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By GlobalDataIn February, Duchy revamped the packaging for its range of products, while the business has recently signed supply deals with actress Liz Hurley and Alex James, bassist of UK indie band Blur.
Demand for organic food in the UK has slowed in recent months. In April, the Soil Association said organic sales inched up by 1.7% to over GBP2.1bn (US$3.46bn) in 2008.
