Finsbury targets growth in premium and healthy eating

Finsbury Food Group plans to double its Thorntons range of cakes and relaunch its Weight Watchers range, catering for consumers’ appetites for indulgent and healthy-eating products.

Dave Brooks, chief executive of the cakemaker, which makes both brands plus a range of others under licence, said: “The key trends we’re seeing are premium and health-conscious eating. It’s no coincidence that our two main branded launches in the first quarter of this year will be following both.

“For Weight Watchers there will be new, very striking packaging, which we’re working on at the moment.”

Regarding the Weight Watchers range, Brooks said: “For the core range of cake slices there’ll be a major packaging overhaul, plus mini-cup cakes, mini-muffins and products of that nature.”

The company bought Anthony Alan Foods, which distributes Weight Watchers ambient cakes, in September last year.

The manufacturer has announced half-year sales up 16% in its Memory Lane Cakes business and 18% in its combined California Cakes and Campbells Cakes division. Sales also rose 14% in its Nicholas and Harris division and 12% for its Lightbody Group in the same period.