ROBINSONS squash firm Britvic said half-year profits rose 13 per cent as its market showed signs of recovery.
The group, whose portfolio also include Tango, J20 juice and water brand Pennine Spring, encouraged investors by reporting improving growth trends in the early weeks of its second half-year, which started in mid-April.
Pre-tax profits in the six m
onths to April 13 rose to £17.2 million from £15.2 million a year earlier, while revenues rose 28.6 per cent to £454.7 million after the acquisition of the Ballygowan soft drinks business of Irish cider maker C&C.
Last year's dismal summer and a lack of momentum into the autumn period impacted on the still drinks market, and operators were also hit by the smoking ban faced by pubs and licensed premises.
But Britvic said it had out-performed its rivals with volumes up 5.9 per cent to 232 million litres in the 28 weeks to April 13.
Still revenues were up 2.8 per cent to £161.8 million, driven by a marketing push for Robinsons, the extension of its Drench water brand and a strong performance from Fruit Shoot. The company's carbonate brands saw volumes rise 0.2 per cent, an under-performance blamed on Christmas promotions by competitors.
Chief executive Paul Moody said Britvic delivered a "resilient performance" in the first half, with market share gains across most of its brands.
He added: "The first half of our year has been a period of modest growth for the soft drinks market overall, with improving growth trends evident in the early weeks of the second half."
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