Twinings

Twinings in brief

• Rank: #46 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #6 of 14 in Consumer & FMCG.
• WCRC Power Score: 65.56 out of 100.
• Founded: 1706, by Thomas Twining.
• Owner: Associated British Foods plc, Andover, England.
• Leadership: George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods.
• Latest revenue: £19.6bn revenue (FY2026, year to Sep 2026, -1.0%), group revenue of Associated British Foods plc, as per company filings.

What makes Twinings powerful

Twinings is one of the oldest consumer brands in Britain still trading under its founder's name, and its shop at 216 Strand remains a London landmark. That heritage gives the brand authority in a category where provenance matters, from English Breakfast to Earl Grey.

Its power today comes from adapting that heritage to new habits. Twinings has grown strongly in wellness and herbal teas, the fastest-moving part of the market, and in 2026 ABF reported that Twinings grew strongly in the UK, US and Australia on demand for wellness teas. It sits in ABF's Grocery division, alongside Ovaltine and Kingsmill, which generated £1.04 billion of revenue in the third quarter of ABF's 2026 financial year. Backing from a well-funded parent lets Twinings invest in marketing and new blends across more than 100 markets.

Twinings' shop at 216 Strand stands in the building where Thomas Twining opened the Golden Lyon in 1717.

Why Twinings ranks #46

Twinings ranks 46th with a WCRC Power Score of 65.56, just behind Vodafone and ahead of Virgin Atlantic. Trust (70) and Positioning and recall (68) are its strengths, built on more than three centuries of tea heritage and its Strand shop. Product and innovation (62) and Sustainability and governance (62) are steady, helped by growth in wellness teas, while Digital and financial (60) holds it back as a division of ABF rather than a separately reported business.

The Achilles' heel

Twinings faces a long decline in traditional black tea drinking in the UK, its home market, as younger consumers switch to coffee and soft drinks. Tea leaf and packaging costs can swing sharply, and private label competition is fierce. ABF's focus on Primark and pressure in its sugar business could also limit investment in grocery brands.

The 2026 story

In ABF's third-quarter trading update on 1 July 2026, Grocery revenue rose 5% to £1.04 billion, and the group said Twinings grew strongly in the UK, US and Australia on demand for wellness teas. ABF's FY2026 annual results in November showed group revenue down 1% to about £19.6 billion and pre-tax profit down 10% to £1.3 billion as its sugar business struggled. George Weston remains ABF chief executive.

Pillar profile

Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.

Versus its nearest rivals

Questions people ask

Also featured in

• Most powerful Consumer & FMCG brands
• UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
• Biggest British Brands by Revenue
• Iconic British Heritage Brands
• UK's Most Trusted Brands
• Most powerful brands in England

Key facts

Sources

• Revenue figure published by Associated British Foods plc
• Company website, official announcements and press releases
• Published interviews and statements by the leadership
• WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data