Premier Foods blasted over ‘pay and stay’ scheme

Premier Foods has been blasted over its strategy of demanding cash from suppliers to keep their contracts.

BBC Newsnight reported that the company has been asking for payments from its suppliers so that they can continue working with it.

See also: Tesco profits ‘black hole’ linked to supplier payment practices

It is understood that the practice has netted Premier Foods, maker Mr Kipling cakes, millions from its suppliers.

It gave one example of a small business in the South West that was asked to hand over £1,700.

One supplier told the BBC that the strategy, known as “pay and stay”, was like “blackmail”.

Premier Foods said it was confident that the strategy did not break any competition rules.

But the Federation of Small Businesses, condemned the food group’s payment practices and said it should be “ashamed”.

The NFU said such practices used by companies which directly supply retailers put producers under extreme pressure in an already very volatile market place.

NFU food chain adviser Tom Lander said: “Ultimately, it reflects the imbalance of power primary producers face in the supply chain.

“The NFU wants to see the remit of the grocery code adjudicator extended further up the supply chain to cover primary producers.

“This will help drive out unfair trading practices between the farm gate right through to retailers and food service companies. Only when the adjudicator’s remit has been extended can a fairer food supply chain for all be achieved.” 

Shares in Premier Foods dropped 3.5% to 35p on the news.