Free-from sweet bakery specialist Lazy Day Foods is looking to expand into more overseas markets after receiving support from Scottish Enterprise.
The firm supplies branded and own-label ranges of cakes, traybakes, and biscuits that are free from gluten, milk, egg, and nuts to major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Asda and Co-op. Signature products include Millionaire’s shortbread, rocky road, and chocolate tiffin, while new mini vegan caterpillar cakes were launched in 2023.
Lazy Day is still run by co-founders and food scientists Dr Sally Beattie and Emer Bustard, who have grown it over the past 19 years to become a £14m turnover business. It operates a BRC AA+ accredited factory in Harthill Industrial Estate – midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh – with a workforce of 145 people.
In addition to its domestic trade, the company has already entered the UAE market with some of its existing SKUs also becoming available in Australia this year. It confirmed it was now targeting the US and Canada as part of a new three-year plan to explore and develop export markets. This would including “expanding and perfecting” product lines to contribute to a turnover growth of 20% year-on-year.
“Our Scottish business is founded on innovation,” commented joint managing director Beattie. “This has always been at the heart of what we do. Scotland excels in innovative, world-class food and drink. We take great pride in our allergen-friendly products.
“Fresh, vibrant brands define Scotland. Whether it’s whisky, cheese or Free From products, its people work very hard to invigorate markets,” she added.
Offering support for Lazy Day’s growth ambitions is Scotland’s national economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, which guided the bakery manufacturer’s export approach via its Export Assessment Tool.
Other benefits provided to the company included:
- Practical and technical help from a dedicated trade advisor
- One-to-one meetings with in-market specialists
- Sending an account manager to attend the International Strategy workshop
Lazy Day has also benefited from working with Scottish Enterprise’s research team, and it took part in the Scottish pavilion at the Private Label Manufacturers Association trade show in Amsterdam in May.
“We’ve been particularly impressed by the in-market specialists who have excellent knowledge and contacts specific to the country they’re based in,” said Bustard. “Scottish Enterprise and SDI have helped shape our business strategy, both domestically and internationally.”
Beattie noted that the timing of Scottish Enterprise assistance has been excellent. “Its work has really helped us to explore export markets,” she added. “The UK’s Free From market is now pretty advanced, and other countries are now reaching a similar maturity level.”
According to ExpertMarketResearch.com, the global free from market is estimated to have been worth £69.6bn in 2024, rising to £232bn by 2034.
“We know there’s tremendous export opportunity. Our stars are now aligned. We are in a great place to maximise those markets and take our company forward,” expressed Beattie.
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