Britvic Ireland revenues down 16%

Britvic Ireland volumes for the quarter to September 30, 2009 were down 13.9% with euro revenues down 16.3%, the company announced today.

Sterling-based Irish revenues were down by 9% in the same period, with a full-year sterling-based revenue decline of 5.6%.

"In the extremely challenging macro-economic environment, the soft drinks market shows no indication of a return to growth in the short term," said a company statement on its Irish operations.

"In the 12 weeks to the end of August, Republic of Ireland grocery soft drinks market volumes are down 0.5%.

"Continuing weakness in the Convenience & Impulse and Licensed On-Premise markets, with volumes down by 1.7% and 20.5% in the 12 weeks respectively, has adversely impacted our business.

"The ongoing adverse performance of these channels has contributed to Britvic Ireland’s expected volume decline of 13.9% in the quarter to the end of September, and a euro-revenue decline of 16.3%."

Britvic today reported total revenue increased by 5.6% to £978.8m in its full-year trading results for 2009.

The drinks company predicted that strong top-line growth would continue into the fourth quarter.

For the full 52-week period, revenue was driven by both volume and average realised price growth.

The full-year UK and International revenue growth of 8.7% reflects UK carbonates growth of 11.0%, UK stills growth of 5.7% and International growth of 18.5%.

Total revenues of £246.5m for the 12 weeks to September 27, 2009 represent an increase of 4.2% on the prior year, resulting again from both volume and ARP growth.