C&C sees Magners market share boost

DRINKS group C&C has received some new year cheer following a tough financial year, with latest trade data in Britain showing market share increases for its Magners cider brand.

According to latest AC Nielsen data for the British off-trade cider market — covering the four-week period up to the end of December — Magners increased its volume share to 10.5%.

This is its highest share of the market to date and marks a significant increase on its share in November, which was 7.3%. Sales of Magners in Britain’s off-trade market represent around 20% of C&C’s total British cider volumes.

“The brand’s distribution also improved. Weighted distribution increased to 91% compared to 86% in November. It is the second-best distributed brand after Strongbow in the off-trade market in Britain,” according to Barry Gallagher of Davy Stockbrokers.

“Magners’ year-on-year volume growth accelerated on the previous months. Volumes increased by 54%, year-on-year in December compared to 34% year-on-year growth in November,” he said.

C&C is due to issue a full-year trading update covering the 12 months to the end of February on Wednesday.

The latest market share news for Magners coming out of Britain will be something of a fillip after a poor fiscal year in which the group issued three profit warnings.