Last checked at 20 May 2009 10:00
| Date: | Immediate release, Wednesday 20 May 2009 | |
| Contacts: | John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman | |
| Brendan Hynes, Group Chief Executive Taylor Purkis, Group Finance Director | ||
| Nichols plc | ||
| Telephone: 01925 222222 | ||
| Website:www.nicholsplc.co.uk | ||
| Alistair Mackinnon-Musson | Mark Brady | |
| Nathan Field | Brewin Dolphin Ltd | |
| Hudson Sandler | (Nominated Adviser) | |
| Telephone:020 7796 4133 | Telephone: 0845 213 4853 | |
| Email: nichols@hspr.com | Website: www.corporatefinance.brewin.co.uk | |
| Photographs available: | On request from Hudson Sandler, as above | |
Nichols plc
AGM Statement
John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman of Nichols plc, the soft drinks group, will make the following statement at the Group's Annual General Meeting to be held later today:
Current Trading
"Following a strong finish to the year in 2008, trading in the new financial year has started ahead of last year and ahead of our own internal expectations. Sales of our core Vimto brand increased by 11.8% in the 12 weeks to 18 April 2009, against a total soft drinks market increase of 0.6% as measured by the market research firm, AC Nielsen. This has been achieved despite the wider economic recession and an extremely competitive soft drinks market.
Internationally, Vimto has also made a strong start to the year and we expect first half sales to benefit from the earlier timing of Ramadan in 2009 over 2008.
Our new Vimto TV advertising campaign for 2009 is scheduled to begin on 5 June 2009, aimed at reinforcing brand recognition amongst our target audiences.
Our Dispense Operation, which includes the recently acquired Dayla business, has also started the year well and is trading ahead of internal expectations.
At this early stage we are pleased with the Group’s continued progress and we are confident of delivering both sales and earnings growth in line with expectations for the full year.”
| 1) | Soft Drinks (sales and marketing of the Vimto brand throughout the world, where it is now available in over 65 countries and of the Panda & Sunkist brands in the UK) |
| | and |
| 2) | Dispense (namely the Cabana, Beacon, Cariel & Dayla cold soft drinks on draught ‘dispense’ businesses) |