UK foodservice supplier Around Noon to create scores of new jobs

Leonie Barrie

Around Noon, a UK foodservice supplier, announced it will create 94 jobs following a GBP7m (US$8.5m) investment initiative.

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What’s the forecast for the food and grocery industry?

The food and grocery sector thrived during the pandemic, largely due to the shutdown of the food service industry and the sector’s subsequent necessity, panic-induced bulk purchasing, and spending more time at home. The market has grown as a result of inflation. Consumer unwillingness to go out and socialize, and the reopening of several hospitality facilities, helped maintain the demand for groceries, particularly online, in 2021. As consumer behavior changes, we consume more food and drink at home, and inflation increases basket sizes. GlobalData predicts that the sector will continue to hold a higher share than had been predicted prior to the pandemic. This is true despite the fact that the food and grocery sector's share of overall retail will decline from its peak in 2020. This report will discuss market forecasts and key themes in the global food & grocery industry in 2022 and beyond. It covers:

Market drivers and inhibitors
Five-year forecasts and the impact of COVID-19
The performance of the online channel versus offline
Major trends in the market including rapid delivery, ambient retailing, supply chain disruption, and inflation

Assess developments within this sector to help your business thrive in 2022 and beyond.

By GlobalData

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The 30-year-old company, based in Newry, Northern Ireland, produces and distributes a range of lunchtime food-to-go items, such as sandwiches and sushi, as well as bakery products. It employs 328 people and has facilities in Newry and Slough in the UK and in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

Government body Invest Northern Ireland has provided financial assistance – to the tune of GBP592,000 – towards the creation of new jobs, several of which are at director and managerial level. Around Noon said it wants to use the investment money to develop sales in the UK and Ireland.

It is also supporting market development activity and the implementation of a new production management system to “drive efficiency improvements in the company” and help the business to scale up.

Gareth Chambers, CEO of Around Noon, said: “Our goal is to become the UK and Ireland’s leading manufacturer of premium ‘food on the move’. We are targeting markets in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland and aim to increase sales outside Northern Ireland by over GBP13m per annum over the next couple of years.”

Around Noon sells its products under the Scribbles, Sweet Things and So Natural brands and also provides products on an own-label basis.

Free Report

What’s the forecast for the food and grocery industry?

Market drivers and inhibitors
Five-year forecasts and the impact of COVID-19
The performance of the online channel versus offline
Major trends in the market including rapid delivery, ambient retailing, supply chain disruption, and inflation

Assess developments within this sector to help your business thrive in 2022 and beyond.

By GlobalData