JW Filshill saw turnover remain stable in line with the overall market trend at £214 million in the year ending January 31, 2025, it has revealed.
In a “robust” set of financial results amid challenging market conditions, the fifth-generation business, based at Westway Park near Glasgow Airport and marking its 150th anniversary in 2025, increased operating profit from £4.2m to £5m - an increase of 18.7%. Profit before tax increased by 22.8%, from £4m to £4.9m.
Filshill, which supplies KeyStore convenience stores and independent retailers across Scotland and the north of England, with national accounts including the Scottish Prison Service, continued to deliver against a clearly defined corporate strategy and ambitions for the future, as well as driving efficiency across the business, it added.
Keith Geddes (above), chief financial and operating officer, said: “This improved efficiency is more essential than ever given the increase in costs driven mainly by changes to fuel, living wage and employers’ national insurance costs.
“The company has also invested heavily in the upskilling of many employees to take full advantage of advancements in artificial intelligence and ensure that we make use of these tools across all areas of the business.
“We also continue to push forward with heavy investment in other areas of technology such as the innovative use of data, tracking software, and industry-specific opportunities such as electronic shelf-edge labels.”
On the company’s environmental commitments, Mr Geddes said: “During the year, our environmental team worked on several initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint and identify areas where we can positively influence a reduction in our carbon impact and work towards a net-zero emissions position.
Filshill measures CO2 usage in grams per case delivered. “We’re pleased to report that this has declined by a further 21% in the past year on top of the 14% decrease the previous year,” Geddes added.
Geddes also commented on the current state of convenience. “The independent retail market remains highly competitive and challenging, and we seek to manage the principal risk of losing customers by aiming to deliver best-in-class customer service. Any loss of support of key suppliers in terms of supply or credit is also a key risk.”
During 2025, the award-winning wholesaler is promoting the theme, Delivering Success, that champions sustainability, innovation, community and wellbeing.
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