Independent retailers served by Eden Farm Hulleys will see cash margins on price-marked Bisto and Sharwoods ready meal lines decrease by 89p following case price increases to £13.69 this month. 

A letter from the wholesaler informed retailers that Kerry Foods – the manufacturer of the two brands – will increase the trade price from 4 March due to rising production, labour and transport costs. 

The changes will increase the case price of 13 price-marked lines, with no increase in the RRP, resulting in slashed margins for stockists.

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This includes an 89p trade price rise to £13.69 on a six-pack case of £2.75 Bisto Roast Chicken Dinner ready meals. 

Retailers will also be 49p out of pocket due to the wholesale cost on cases of £1.69 Sharwoods Chicken Korma increasing to £8.55 per case. 

Similar changes are being made to £1.69 Sharwoods Sweet & Sour Chicken and Bisto Chilli Con Carne with Rice.      

When asked about the price increases, a Kerry Foods spokesperson said: “We continually review our portfolio and have price-marked and non-priced packs available to customers, allowing retailers to determine which they prefer to stock.”

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