Heron Foods began in 1979 in Hull, created by the Heuck family with a single mission: make food affordable for working families without sacrificing everyday quality. While the larger supermarket giants were fighting for dominance, Heron carved out a space of its own by keeping things simple: smaller stores, local convenience, and frozen food that didn’t cost the earth.
Humble Beginnings in Hull
Heron Foods didn’t have glossy adverts or vast supermarkets when it started. Instead, it was a family business rooted in community values.
The Early Years
- Family-led operations, with the Heuck family ensuring a customer-first approach.
- Focus on frozen and chilled foods, which helped households save money while stocking up for the week.
- Low-cost store model, keeping overheads down so savings could be passed on to shoppers.
It was this down-to-earth, no-frills beginning that set the stage for Heron’s long-term success.
Growing Reputation in the North
Heron Foods didn’t just stay local. By the 1990s, it had become a familiar name across northern towns and cities.
What Made It Stand Out
- Discounted branded items – customers could still buy household names but at cheaper prices than the big chains.
- Introduction of own-label goods, offering further savings without compromising on basics.
- Neighbourhood-first expansion, opening stores in areas where traditional supermarkets weren’t always present.
This balance between affordability and availability made Heron a lifeline for many households on tight budgets.
Why Frozen Food Was a Game-Changer
Heron built much of its model around frozen food, long before discounters like Aldi and Lidl were household names in Britain.
Benefits That Shaped Its Identity
- Frozen food extended shelf life, reducing waste and helping families plan weekly shops.
- Cheaper than fresh alternatives, especially useful in regions where wages were lower.
- Consistency, with frozen products delivering the same quality week in, week out.
For working families, this was both a budget solution and a reliable shopping strategy.
B&M Acquisition – A New Chapter
The biggest turning point came in 2017, when B&M Retail acquired Heron Foods for £152 million.
Why It Mattered
- Financial muscle, allowing Heron to expand at a faster pace.
- Shared business model, since B&M also focuses on discount retailing.
- Broader recognition, turning Heron from a regional favourite into a national player.
The acquisition didn’t erase Heron’s brand identity. Instead, it reinforced it, giving Heron the backing to compete more effectively against discounters and supermarkets.
Community Connection and Customer Loyalty
Despite growing bigger, Heron Foods has held on to its original ethos of being a local-friendly grocer.
How It Maintains That Link
- Smaller store sizes, keeping the shopping trip quick and personal.
- Friendly service, often employing staff from the same community.
- Everyday affordability, ensuring it stays true to its discount roots.
Shoppers don’t just go for the bargains — they go because it feels like a store that understands their needs.
Heron Foods vs Other Discounters
Heron Foods doesn’t compete by mimicking Aldi or Lidl. Instead, it’s carved out a space between the big supermarkets and the pan-European discounters.
- More community-based than Aldi or Lidl, with smaller, neighbourhood-focused outlets.
- Cheaper branded goods, unlike Aldi or Lidl, which mainly push own-label products.
- Frozen and chilled strength, similar to Farmfoods but on a smaller, more flexible scale.
This middle ground keeps Heron competitive in a very crowded market.
Heron Foods Today
By 2025, Heron Foods operates over 300 stores across the UK, particularly in northern England and the Midlands.
Why It Still Works
- Everyday low pricing on household essentials.
- Combination of branded and own-label products, appealing to both loyalists and bargain-hunters.
- Neighbourhood store convenience, filling a gap that big-box supermarkets can’t always reach.
For many families, Heron remains the practical choice: close, affordable, and reliable.
FAQs
Here are some questions and answers about Heron Foods.
When was Heron Foods founded?
Heron Foods was founded in 1979 in Hull by the Heuck family.
Who owns Heron Foods now?
Heron Foods has been owned by B&M Retail since 2017, but still operates under its own brand identity.
How many Heron Foods stores are there?
Heron Foods has over 300 stores across the UK, mainly concentrated in the North and Midlands.
What makes Heron Foods different from Farmfoods?
While both focus on frozen and discounted food, Heron Foods tends to have smaller stores in communities, while Farmfoods often runs larger, standalone sites.
Why do people shop at Heron Foods?
Because it combines local convenience with discount pricing, allowing households to save money without making a long trip to the big supermarkets.