Conviviality is toasting a landmark year under its boss Diana Hunter, after sales and profits fizzed during what it called a “transformational” year.

That’s not just PR or corporate speak either – Hunter really has breathed fresh life into the business and established new revenue streams since taking the reins of what was then Bargain Booze Ltd, in early 2013.

Having moulded the drinks specialist into a distribution, foodservice and retail group with sales of £1.56bn, Conviviality and its boss have gone from being the hunter to the hunted.

But in such a fiercely competitive market, analysts believe the business has what it takes to outrun its rivals and gobble up further growth and market share in the coming years.

Conviviality was not the only company hailing success today, as Jack Wills swung into the black after cutting promotional activity, while footfall also moved in the right direction, aided by the June heatwave.

Quote of the day

“In some ways – and I know that this is me thinking as a shopkeeper – Amazon has appeared to all of us like a dark shadow racing across the Earth”

Dixons Carphone chief executive Seb James on the rise of Amazon

Today in numbers

147%

The spike in pre-tax profit enjoyed by Conviviality in the year to April 30.

0.8%

The uplift in retail footfall recorded in June, according to the BRC-Springboard’s latest Footfall and Vacancies monitor.

Tomorrow’s agenda

Jacamo, Simply Be and JD Williams owner N Brown hosts its AGM, but is not expected to post a trading update.

Luke Tugby, head of content

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