Bulmer's bucks trend as sales rise

SALES of Bulmer's cider grew by 4% in the six months to the end of August, outperforming the rest of the alcohol market, which has seen volumes decline because of the smoking ban and a shift to drinking at home.

C&C Group, which own Bulmer's, announced yesterday its volumes were ahead by 4% in the first half of its financial year. The pub trade market has fallen by 5% in that period.

The off-licence trade has seen volumes increase by around 12% over the same six months.