Home delivered meal kit company Gousto plans to recruit 1,000 additional staff after recording its first profit and more than doubling sales during the coronavirus pandemic.
The firm, launched in 2012, doubled its workforce to 1,000 last year and aims to double it again by the end of 2022 as it opens additional fulfilment centres in Warrington, Cheshire, and Thurrock, Essex. Founder & CEO Timo Boldt said: “We had incredibly positive growth prior to the pandemic so can see that continuing even as things ease.” The search is on for more technology and marketing team members as well as order fulfilment workers who prepare and pack its food kits.
Gousto recorded underlying profits of £18.2m on revenues of £189m in the year to 31 December, representing around 53 million meals. This performance eclipses that of 2019 when it had posted a £9.1m loss.
Boldt added: “We have doubled the business every single year over the last couple of years. During the pandemic, we have grown faster but we were growing fast before.”
Boldt also said that Gousto might consider a stock market float in the future but was debt-free and did not need to raise more funds. Last year, it announced a partnership with the influencer and self-styled “PE teacher to the nation”, Joe Wicks, who is also an investor in the company.
While there are concerns about the amount of packaging meal-kit services involve, including plastic, Boldt claims Gousto is more sustainable than visiting a supermarket because less food is wasted per meal. He said all Gousto own-brand packaging would be recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of next year.
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