'Operating costs were controlled well': Northern Ireland family-run grocery giant reports 8.7% rise in turnover to £1.5bn
Profits rise to £76m as Henderson Foodservice posts 14.8% growth, with the group investing in staff and shoppers while expanding its brands beyond Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s leading grocery retailer, wholesaler and foodservice supplier Henderson Group has reported turnover of £1.5 billion for 2025 — an increase of 8.7% on the previous year.
The group also recorded a significant rise in net profit before tax, which increased to £76 million, according to its latest accounts filed by chief financial officer Neil Gamble.
Mr Gamble said operating costs had been “controlled well” despite significant increases in wage costs, driven by inflation, rises in the National Minimum Wage and higher employer National Insurance contributions introduced by the UK Government.
In the report, he explained: “Operating costs were controlled well throughout the year despite a significant increase in wage costs, driven by both inflationary pressure, national minimum wage rate increases, and the impact of increased employers’ national insurance charges levied by the UK government.
“The Group has sought to mitigate the impact of these cost increases on consumer pricing by prioritising initiatives designed to improve the operational efficiency of the business, while also continuing to invest in remuneration and other initiatives designed to improve colleague engagement and deliver better prices for shoppers.”
Henderson Foodservice Limited continued with success in 2025, growing sales by 14.8% on 2024 to £289m.
He continued: “We are delighted that all sales channels experienced growth in Henderson Foodservice. Of particular note is the strong growth across independent customers in the Republic of Ireland, with the Group investing in the appointment of an ROI country director in 2025 to help accelerate that growth.
“Further, new retailers and the retention of existing retailers within the Wholesale Group in Northern Ireland enabled the growth, as did the on-going roll-out of the company’s Delish food- to-go brand across the store network. Barista Bar coffee-to-go continued its impressive growth across England and Scotland, providing significant opportunity to build our competitive offering beyond Northern Ireland.”
Throughout 2025, Henderson Group employed on average 5,662 colleagues across its companies and retail estate, with a wage contribution of over £167m.
Neil added: “The Group’s fundraising total for our charity partners in 2025 was £1.8 million, with a £1 million milestone reached for SPAR charity partner, Marie Curie and a milestone of £2.2 million reached for EUROSPAR charity partner, Cancer Fund for Children, since both partnerships began in 2017 and 2011 respectively.
“For the first time, our Christmas partnership appeal for Tearfund surpassed the one million pound mark in 2025, reaching £1,037,030.”
Other charitable organisations which received donations included Action Mental Health, Children’s Heartbeat Trust, NI Children’s Hospice, PIPs Charity and the Jack & Jill Foundation. Meanwhile £20,000 was distributed to community organisations and charities through the Community Cashback Grant.
Payroll Giving also generated £447,000 during 2025, with 20.5% of employees — almost 1,200 colleagues — signed up to the scheme. The group was subsequently recognised as a Diamond Level Organisation at the UK Payroll Giving Excellence Awards.