Britvic sales fizzing due to sports deals
SOFT drinks company Britvic yesterday reported a 5.9 per cent jump in revenues for the three months to 5 July, boosted by a summer of sports sponsorship deals.
The group reported a three per cent rise in still drink volumes and an 8.3 per cent jump in revenues, largely thanks to its squash brand Robinsons, which sponsored Wimbledon hopeful Andy Murray.
The group said the three per cent growth in volume outperformed the 2.7 per cent drop in the market.
Chief executive Paul Moody said: “Murray created even more interest in the sport and generated more excitement, which raises British expectations and as a spin of, raises our sales.”
The group was also boosted by a lucrative sponsorship deal between the Twenty20 World Cup, which was hosted in England, and Pepsi – its cola brand.
Britvic yesterday said the cricket sponsorship deal had helped it grow carbonated volumes in the UK by 10.4 per cent, while the market grew by just 1.5 per cent.
Revenues for fizzy drinks were also up, growing 14.4 per cent.
Moody yesterday said: “We have continued to grow our cola market share, at the expense of rivals, and now have 25 per cent of the take-home cola market.”
Britvic was also boosted during the third quarter by the launch of its new flavoured water “Juicy Drench” in April. And the group said it planned to roll out two new products in Spring next year.
However, Britvic was let down by a dramatic slide in sales in Ireland, as the weakening economy curbed consumer spending. Revenue fell in Ireland by 24.3 per cent, as volumes shrunk 20.2 per cent.
Robinsons has supported Wimbledon for 74 years and is the second oldest sponsor of the tournament after Slazenger.