Purely founder Stefania Pellegrino leads two of Tooru plc’s (TOO) fastest-growing snacking brands: Purely, the plantain-snack challenger built on authentic sourcing and flavour-led innovation, and Pulsin, a leader in plant-based functional wellness spanning protein bars, keto, brownies, and powders. Drawing on her journey from Italy through Ecuador to the UK food industry, Stefania now drives innovation, clean-label formulation, and strategic expansion across both brands.
In this interview, investors will hear:
- How Stefania’s international background and sourcing expertise shaped Purely’s creation, and why its authenticity and simplicity complement Pulsin’s mission in functional wellness.
- The divisions’ expanding footprint in high-growth snacking categories, with nationwide distribution across major supermarkets, alongside traction in independent retail and direct-to-consumer (D2C).
- The retail journey: breaking through buyer education barriers, securing early listings, and applying those lessons to accelerate Pulsin’s broader national distribution.
- How macro pressures – inflation, supply-chain shifts and changing consumer behaviour – are shaping Tooru’s sourcing strategy, ingredient design, and innovation pipeline.
- The launch of Thrive, Pulsin’s new sub-brand targeting gut health, brain health, women’s wellness, and everyday performance, and what it signals for Tooru’s functional wellness ambitions.
Reasons to add Tooru plc to your watchlist:
- Strengthening position in high-growth categories: Purely and Pulsin expand Tooru’s reach across plant-based nutrition, better-for-you snacking and emerging functional wellness – building on the group’s existing leadership in gluten-free bakery with Juvela.
- Clear and consistent clean-label differentiation: Across the group, Tooru brands emphasise short, transparent ingredient lists, ethical sourcing and formulations that deliver taste without compromise. Stefania’s work on Purely and Pulsin mirrors the standards seen in Juvela and OAF.
- Innovation ecosystem powered by data: Together with Market Rocket’s in-house digital capabilities, Tooru’s divisions benefit from consumer insight that informs NPD, strengthens direct-to-consumer performance, and accelerates informed category expansion.
- Compelling group growth trajectory: As Juvela scales retail, OAF reshapes the Free From aisle, and Pulsin prepares the launch of Thrive - alongside Purely’s new format innovation - Tooru demonstrates multiple engines of value creation supported by operational alignment across the group.
- Founder-led, long-term mindset: Management’s significant shareholding and disciplined acquisition strategy continue to underpin a multi-brand platform built for scale, margin expansion, and selective international growth.
Stefania Pellegrino, Head of Purely and Pulsin at Tooru plc, was interviewed by John Hughman for focusIR.
