In a significant legal development, The Skinny Food Co has launched a High Court claim against B&M, seeking nearly £14 million in damages. This lawsuit stems from allegations that Skinny was unjustly removed from B&M’s supplier list on two occasions, first in 2021 and again in 2025.
The legal proceedings commenced in February, with Skinny claiming total losses from both de-listings amounting to at least £16.85 million. The company asserts that the initial removal occurred after investment talks with B&M fell through, leading to a breakdown in their commercial relationship, which began in late 2020.
According to court filings, Robin Arora, a key figure at B&M, allegedly made threatening remarks during the investment negotiations. George Spalton KC, representing Skinny, stated, “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.”
Skinny claims that its orders from B&M plummeted from £10.7 million in the year ending August 2021 to approximately £3.2 million the following year. Furthermore, B&M ceased adding new Skinny products to its shelves from 2023, and in June 2025, the company formally notified Skinny that it would remove all remaining products by December 2025.
In preparation for anticipated demand from B&M, Skinny invested over £235,000 in new machinery, a decision that now appears to have been made under false pretenses. The drastic reduction in orders has left Skinny in a precarious financial situation, prompting the current lawsuit.
As the case unfolds, B&M has yet to submit its defense, leaving many questions unanswered. The community watches closely, as the outcome could have significant implications for both companies and their future collaborations.
Robin Arora previously stated, “He was ‘the only person that can make or break your business.'” This sentiment underscores the power dynamics at play during the negotiations and the subsequent fallout.
Details remain unconfirmed, but the ramifications of this lawsuit are likely to resonate throughout the industry as both parties prepare for the next steps in this contentious legal battle.
