Premier Foods said today it expects higher full-year profit after online sales jumped 90% in the third-quarter leading up to the busy Christmas season.
The company expects annual trading profit to be between £145-150m, compared with £132.6m that it reported last year.
"Looking to the remainder of the year, out-of-home eating is likely to remain heavily restricted and we therefore expect to see continued high levels of consumer demand for our products," chief executive Alex Whitehouse said.
Premier Foods also signed an agreement with Weston Foods to sell Mr Kipling cakes in the US, with the first shipments expected to begin in the first quarter of fiscal 2021-22.
Total group sales at the company rose 9% for the 13 weeks ended December 26, helped by strong demand for its Sharwood's cooking sauces, Bisto gravy, Batchelors and dessert brand Ambrosia.
The company, which has lifted its annual profit forecast twice since the start of its financial year in March, now seeks to increase brand advertising and has new products planned for the fourth quarter.
The company also said it will redeem an additional £40m worth of notes due in July 2022.
Meanwhile, the company reported a jump of 43% in its international business sales, partly helped by purchases of its products ahead of the December 31 European Union exit date.
It said it does not expect any material impact from tariff changes.
