Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Irn-Bru maker reports robust results

A.G. Barr, the owner of the IRN-BRU and Rubicon soft drink ranges, has reported robust results for first half of the year, delivering revenue and volume growth owing to higher prices and good weather in June.

In a brief trading update for the 26 weeks ended July 30, the Scotland-based firm revealed that its revenue had risen by around 33 pr cent to £210 million. However, excluding the contribution from the Boost Drinks business it acquired in December last year, the increase was 10 per cent.


Its Barr Soft Drinks and Boost Drinks units were said to have seen strong trading, driven by volume growth, pricing and mix, alongside “effective sales execution and successful consumer marketing activity”. In its FUNKIN Cocktails division, revenue growth was driven by distribution gains, increased consumer marketing investment and product innovation, particularly in the retail channel.

Meanwhile, its MOMA Foods business benefitted from brand and consumer marketing investment, with “significant” growth as oat milk continued to outperform other plant-based milk categories.

A.G. Barr stated that the delay to Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) had resulted in a more “stable and certain consumer environment”. It noted that this would enable it to accelerate its innovation plans with a number of brand launches planned for the second half of the year.

As previously stated, the company expects its full-year operating margin to be impacted by “persistent” cost inflation alongside the impact of absorbing the lower margin Boost business. However, A.G. Barr said today that it expects its annual profit performance to be marginally above the top end of analysts’ expectations.

Roger White, who today announced he would be retiring from the Chief Executive role after over 20 years, commented, “Our medium-term plan to rebuild the group’s operating profit margin is progressing well across a range of activities, including supply chain optimisation, cost management and portfolio development.

“We have strong brand plans in place across the business for the balance of the year to sustain our growth momentum and we remain confident in the group’s long-term growth strategy”.

The company stated that White would step down and leave the company at a mutually agreed date in the next 12 months. It has commenced a succession process, including an external search.

More for you

Britvic growth in annual revenue and profits

Strong numbers for Britvic

Britvic, the soft drinks manufacturer set to be acquired by Carlsberg, has posted robust annual results after investment in marketing and product innovation helped it maintain demand for its brands.

Over the year to Sept 30, the company’s pre-tax profits climbed 10.5 per cent to £173.2 million despite a £21.3m hit related to the proposed Carlsberg deal. Britvic stated that its growth was driven by both volume and price-mix, with strong demand for brands such as Pepsi, Tango, Lipton, MiWadi and Ballygowan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Met Police identifies four suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal

Met Police identifies four suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal

The Metropolitan Police has identified two new suspects in its investigation into possible criminal offences as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal. This takes the total number of individuals to four as the force also revealed it believes more suspects will be identified as the inquiry progresses.

Scotland Yard said members of the investigation team met with Sir Alan Bates, the leading Post Office campaigner, and fellow victims to update them on the development.

Keep ReadingShow less
Discover Britain's top hotspots for independent shops

(Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Discover Britain's top hotspots for independent shops

New research by American Express Shop Small reveals the nation’s top 10 hotspots for independent shops, showcasing the small businesses and the valuable role they plan in their local communities.

American Express partnered with retail experts GlobalData to identify the top high streets for independent shops through ranking factors such as the number of independent outlets, variety of business types, and vibrancy of the high street.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Walkable high streets boost economy'
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

'Walkable high streets boost economy'

Shoppers who walk and wheel spend more than those arriving by car, states a recent report, demonstrating the significant economic and social benefits of investing in walkable town centres, challenging traditional views on urban accessibility.

The findings published in third edition of "The Pedestrian Pound Report", recently published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, come at a critical juncture for British high streets, with a record number of retail failures in 2022 and a vacancy rate of nearly one in seven by the end of 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yvette Cooper

Home secretary Yvette Cooper speaking at the annual conference hosted by the NPCC and APCC on 19 November 2024

Photo: GOV.UK

Home secretary pledges to restore neighbourhood policing

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to rebuild neighbourhood policing and combat surging shop theft as part of an ambitious programme of reform to policing.

In her first major speech at the annual conference hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners on Tuesday, Cooper highlighted four of the key areas for reform: neighbourhood policing, police performance, structures and capabilities, crime prevention.

Keep ReadingShow less