Profits dipped as turnover at CJ Lang, which supplies more than 300 independent retailers trading under the Spar fascia across Scotland and operates around 100 stores of its own, increased by around £2m to £255m in a year it “shaped by complex headwinds”.

Speaking to The Herald, Colin McLean, chief executive of the family-owned company, cited the impact of poor summer weather in 2024 and fragile consumer confidence on the results, with the latter affected more recently by uncertainty over steps Chancellor Rachel Reeves may take in the forthcoming Budget. The Chancellor had appeared to lay the ground for a rise in income tax but now looks to have ruled that measure out.

Read more:

Reflecting on the company’s accounts for 2024, Mr McLean said: “These are the results up until the end of

See Full Page