Nichols plc Regulatory News (NICL)

Nichols plc

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:

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"I am pleased to report we have continued to deliver strong growth in the first four months of the year, with Group sales ahead of both our internal plans and last year, despite the very strong comparatives in 2010 and the prevailing uncertain economic and consumer backdrop.

In the UK, for the four months to April 2011, our sales have increased by 12.5% on last year. Internationally, sales into our core Middle East and Africa markets are also ahead of both our internal plans and last year.

Sales of soft drinks on dispense, which includes the remaining 50% of Dayla Liquid Packaging acquired on 9 March 2011, are also ahead of internal expectations.

In April 2011 we launched a new range of Levi Roots (Reggae Reggae) Caribbean drinks into the UK market which so far has been very well received by our major trade customers. In 2011 we will again increase our total brand investment, including the complete update of Vimto brand packaging and a new, multi-media advertising campaign launching in May 2011.

At this early stage of the financial year we are very pleased with the Group's continuing progress and we are confident of delivering further sales and earnings growth in line with expectations for the full year."

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Notes to Editors:

Nichols plc is a highly focused soft drinks business. Its brand portfolio includes Vimto, which is sold in over 65 countries and Sunkist & Panda which are sold in the UK. The Group has a leading market position in both the "Stills" and "Carbonated" drinks categories and also in the soft drinks on dispense market, where its brands include Cabana, Ben Shaws & Dayla.