Drinks group Britvic said that - as expected - the Irish market remains challenging. Revenues from its Irish operations for the 28 weeks to April 17 slowed by 5.3% to £81.9m sterling while volumes were down 7%
However, it said it had successfully completed its restructuring programme and said it was confident that the business is well positioned to benefit from a return to market growth.
It also said that 'encouragingly' its stills portfolio performed well, especially the key brands of Robinsons, Fruit Shoot and MiWadi.
Earlier this month, the company said it would buy the business of drinks wholesaler Quinn's of Cookstown, from Tennents Northern Ireland. This deal extends its on-trade access in Northern Ireland from 140 to over 800 outlets.
Britvic said its total group revenue rose by 25% to £633m for the 28 weeks to April 17 - up from £505m the same time last year. Pre-tax profits were flat at £27.7m.
The board is proposing an interim dividend of 5.1 pence per share, up 8.5% on last year.
Britvic said it saw revenue growth of 4% in its UK division on the back of a strong performance in the second quarter. Britvic International's revenues jumped by 24%, on the back of the successful roll-out of Fruit Shoot in Australia and growth in its US presence. Britvic France also reported double-digit revenue growth.
'We are focused on executing a strong programme of innovation and brand activity throughout the group and trading in the first few weeks of the third quarter provides the board with further confidence in the outlook for the balance of the year,' commented Britvic's chief executive Paul Moody.
