Aramark sees sharp fall in turnover and profit

Aramark Limited, the England, Scotland and Wales arm of global foodservice giant Aramark, saw its annual turnover drop 12% to £308.5m for the 12 months to 27 September 2013.

The fall in sales, from £350.6m the year before, was "primarily" due to the impact of the caterer's contract to deliver foodservice to athletes during last year's 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, Aramark said in documents filed at Companies House.

However, the company's directors' report for its 2012 accounts revealed that turnover had grown just 3% from £341.5m in 2011, which Aramark said was also as a result of the impact from the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Pre-tax profit for 2013 was £2.3m, down 71% from £8m the year before.

After eliminating the £6.1m impact of these exceptional items, pre-tax profit had increased year-on-year by £474,000. For the second year running, the directors did not recommend the payment of a dividend to shareholders.

"The management continues to focus on promoting efficiencies and driving out unnecessary costs from the business whilst being careful to maintain levels of investment in the business that will drive the business forward and add value to our stakeholders," according to the company.