Soft-drink company Britvic Plc said on Wednesday that its half-year revenue rose by 4.5%, to £733.2 million, as it sold more no- and low-sugar drinks during the period.
The UK bottler of Pepsi, 7UP and Mountain Dew Energy said that profit before tax for the 28 weeks ended 15 April fell to £41.8 million from £50.1 million, as it took a charge of £21.6 million in its ongoing business capability programme.
It noted that it entered the soft-drinks industry levy environment in the UK ‘with strong momentum, with Robinsons back in growth and Pepsi MAX continuing to outperform a highly competitive cola category’.
Solid Revenue Growth
“We have delivered a strong first-half performance with solid revenue, margin and earnings growth,” commented Britvic chief executive Simon Litherland.
“We have also made good progress in innovating to meet consumer needs, growing our international presence and transforming our supply chain. While it is too soon to guide on the ongoing consumer impact of the soft-drinks levy, early indications of the competitor and customer response are broadly as we anticipated.
“We have exciting commercial plans in place for the second half, and I remain confident of continuing to make progress this year,” Litherland added.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
