The Skinny Food Co has launched a High Court claim against B&M, seeking nearly £14 million in damages. This legal action comes after the company alleges it was removed from B&M’s supplier list on two separate occasions, first in 2021 and again in 2025.
Legal proceedings commenced in February, with Skinny claiming that the initial de-listing followed the collapse of investment talks. The company asserts that Robin Arora, a key figure in the negotiations, made threatening remarks that contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.
According to court filings, Skinny claims total losses from both de-listings amount to at least £16.85 million. This figure reflects a significant decline in orders from B&M, which plummeted from £10.7 million in the year ending August 2021 to approximately £3.2 million the following year.
B&M has yet to submit its defense in this case, leaving many questions unanswered. The situation escalated when B&M ceased adding new Skinny products to its shelves starting in 2023. In June 2025, the retailer formally notified Skinny that it would remove all remaining products by December 2025.
Skinny’s investment in new machinery, totaling over £235,000, was made in anticipation of increased demand from B&M. However, the drastic reduction in orders has left the company in a precarious position.
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.” This highlights the tense dynamics that have characterized their business relationship.
Robin Arora, in his own remarks, emphasized his influence over Skinny’s fate, stating, “He was ‘the only person that can make or break your business’.” His comments suggest a level of control that raises ethical questions about the nature of their negotiations.
The commercial relationship between Skinny and B&M began in late 2020, but it appears that the partnership has soured significantly since then. As the lawsuit unfolds, the implications for both companies could be profound.
Details remain unconfirmed, and the outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for similar disputes in the retail sector.