Duchy Originals turns profit

Flagship organic brand Duchy Originals is showing a profit for the first time in four years after a boost from upmarket grocer Waitrose, reports The Telegraph.

Accounts filed at Companies House show Duchy Original’s sales jump from £1.23m to £2.37m. The company transformed a loss of £537,000 into a profit of £2.25m in the year to March 2011.

The Telegraph puts the change in fortunes down to Waitrose, its main customer, who stepped in with investment during 2009.

For the first time since 2007, the company has been able to make a donation to charity – paying out £625,000. Waitrose aims to donate at least £1m a year in future.

Mark Price, Waitrose’s managing director, said: “These figures reflect an extremely successful start for Duchy Originals from Waitrose and we look forward to announcing next year that the charity donation for our first 12 months of trading has significantly exceeded our £1m commitment.” Flagship organic brand Duchy Originals is showing a profit for the first time in four years after a boost from upmarket grocer Waitrose, reports The Telegraph.

Picture: Duchy Originals — bringing home the bacon