Swizzels Matlow sees profits halve despite sales surge to nearly £100m

Assortment of Swizzels Matlow retro sweets and chews

Swizzels Matlow, the confectionery company known for Love Hearts and Refreshers, saw its profits halved in its most recent financial year, despite a surge in sales to nearly £100m. The firm, based in the Peak District, reported a pre-tax profit of £4.4m for 2023, a significant drop from the £8.2m recorded in 2022.

According to recently filed accounts at Companies House, Swizzels Matlow's turnover rose during the same period from £89.3m to £96.6m, as reported by City AM.

The company's UK turnover increased from £76.6m to £80.8m over the year, while its European sales also grew from £10.1m to £13.2m. However, its sales in other global markets remained steady at £2.6m.

Over the course of the year, the average number of employees at Swizzels Matlow increased from 561 to 578.

These results follow the completion of a new manufacturing and warehouse site in Middlewich, Cheshire. The new facility is expected to significantly boost production capacity, according to Swizzels Matlow.

A statement approved by the board read: "The group continues to invest heavily in new equipment in order to improve efficiency and product quality."

During the year, Swizzels Matlow reached an agreement with M&S following accusations that it had copied its Percy Pig sweets. As part of the "amicable resolution", Swizzels Matlow agreed to alter the design of its Pigs Mugs sweets.

M&S initially claimed in November 2022 that the sweets were too similar to its own.

As per a 37-page document submitted to the High Court in London, since its inception in 1993, the Percy Pig brand has amassed a turnover of £131.7m.