Chill Brands Group (LSE:CHLL), the consumer packaged-goods distribution company focused on the UK independent convenience channel, reported revenue of £726,382 for the six months ended 31 March, up from £141,699 in the comparable period a year earlier.
Despite the fivefold top-line increase, the gross loss widened sharply to £283,807 from £19,393 as the company absorbed the cost of building a national field sales force and sold through inventory tied to a single brand at or below cost after market conditions outside its control damaged that brand's value chain.
The net loss for the period reached £1.07m, against £726,434 in the prior half-year, with administrative expenses rising 7.9% to £727,745, including a £118,947 provision against doubtful debts.
A one-off settlement of £216,753 from a legal dispute with a former professional adviser, relating to governance disruption in 2024, was received during the period but is treated as non-recurring by management.
Cash fell to £37,075 at 31 March from £99,957 at the end of September 2025, underscoring the funding pressure the company acknowledges openly: growth is constrained by working capital availability, not demand.
Post-period, the company launched a wholesale ordering platform with more than 2,000 convenience retailer accounts onboarded at launch.
"We invested ahead of revenue," said chief executive Callum Sommerton, "with costs reflecting the build-out of a national operating platform, although it has resulted in a period where cost growth has outpaced revenue."
The board expects second-half trading to progress broadly in line with first-half trends, subject to securing sufficient funding.
