In a significant legal development, The Skinny Food Co has initiated a High Court claim against B&M, seeking nearly £14 million in damages. This lawsuit, which commenced in February, stems from allegations that Skinny was unjustly removed from B&M’s supplier list on two separate occasions, in 2021 and 2025.
The circumstances surrounding the de-listing are particularly contentious. Skinny claims that the initial removal occurred after investment talks with B&M fell through, leading to a breakdown in negotiations. Court filings suggest that Robin Arora, a key figure in the negotiations, made threatening remarks that have since become central to the case.
Financially, the impact of these de-listings has been severe for Skinny. The company alleges total losses amounting to at least £16.85 million, a staggering figure that reflects the decline in orders from B&M. Orders plummeted from £10.7 million in the year ending August 2021 to approximately £3.2 million the following year, highlighting the drastic shift in their commercial relationship.
Skinny’s investment in new machinery, totaling over £235,000, was made in anticipation of continued demand from B&M. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when B&M ceased adding new Skinny products to its shelves in 2023. In June 2025, B&M formally notified Skinny that it would remove all remaining products by December 2025, further compounding the company’s losses.
George Spalton KC, representing Skinny, articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “B&M’s decision to de-list Skinny was motivated at least by the breakdown of the negotiations between (Mr Arora) and Skinny in respect of the proposed investment by the Arora family in Skinny, and by (Mr Arora’s) desire to make good his threat to ‘ruin’ Skinny.” This statement underscores the high stakes involved in the ongoing legal battle.
As the case unfolds, B&M has yet to submit its defense, leaving many questions unanswered. The commercial relationship between Skinny and B&M began in late 2020, and the current lawsuit marks a dramatic shift from what was once a promising partnership.
Details remain unconfirmed as both parties prepare for the next steps in this contentious legal dispute. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for both companies and the broader food industry.
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