Britvic sales hit by wet summer

The group’s revenues were up 0.7 per cent on a year ago in its home market between April and July, down on the previous six months after a 13.3 per cent slide in volumes for its portfolio of still drinks, which include Robinsons.

Britvic launched a double concentrate version of Robinsons over the period but found that factors outside its control dented its trading performance.

It said in an update: “The weather in June had a negative impact on promotional activity around the Wimbledon tennis event, which is an important focus period for the Robinsons brand.”

The Chelmsford-based group, which has the rights to sell Pepsi products in the UK, said volumes of fizzy drinks were down 1.6 per cent as it faced up to the impact of promotional activity by rivals.

However, higher average prices meant revenues from the carbonates sector were still 4.4 per cent higher than a year ago. The figures were also impacted by comparisons with strong trading in the comparative period of 2010, when demand was boosted by the football World Cup and good weather.