McBride plc provided group earnings guidance for the six months ended December 31, 2013. For the six months, the group revenue declined by 3% at constant currency as a consequence of the previously announced wind-down in selected contract manufacturing business impacting the first half of 2013/14. Private Label revenue growth in Central and Eastern Europe remained strong and the company's France and Benelux business also returned to growth.

The company's business in UK has been impacted by branded promotional activity which continued throughout the first half. Overall group Private Label revenue grew by 0.5%. As a result of the weaker performance in UK, the board expects adjusted operating profit for the first half to be around £10 million.

The company expects an improvement in performance in the company's second half given the extent of new product launches in the pipeline and cost saving initiatives underway, but this will be mitigated to some degree should the current level of branded promotional activity continue, and with demand in the UK retail sector remaining relatively weak. Net debt at the period end will be around £85 million.