FDBusiness.com

Driven by its strong brands and international business, UK soft drinks company Nichols increased sales by 18% to £98.9 million in 2011 and profit before tax by 20% to £18.1 million. Nichols’ UK soft drinks sales outperformed the market, increasing by 15%, more than twice the market growth rate of 7%. Whilst Vimto remains the key brand, the company is also continuing the strategy of broadening the portfolio and in April 2011 launched the Levi Roots range of Caribbean drinks, which added an incremental £2.5 million sales in its first 9 months of trading.

With the economic downturn continuing to affect the UK consumer, the importance and strength of Nichols’ significant international business is evident. In 2011 total international sales grew by 31% against the prior year, sales to the Middle East were 24% higher on the back of strong in-country sales of the Vimto brand and African sales were up by 28%.

“2011 was another record year with an outstanding performance in the face of the most challenging UK retail environment seen in a decade,” comments John Nichols, non-executive chairman of Nichols. “While 2012 will remain challenging we are confident of delivering profitable growth in the current year and beyond.”