Nichols plc Regulatory News (NICL)

Nichols plc

John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman of Nichols plc (the "Group"), the soft drinks group, will make the following statement at the Group's Annual General Meeting to be held later today:

Current Trading

"I am pleased to report that our strong trading momentum has continued into the first four months to April 2012, with Group sales showing double digit growth against last year's very strong comparatives. This has been achieved despite the wider economic and consumer challenges and an extremely competitive UK soft drinks market. Boosted by the launch of our new Weight Watchers range of low calorie soft drinks, our UK sales growth is ahead of the market and significantly up on the prior year.

International sales to the Middle East, Africa and our developing markets also continue to deliver solid growth for the Group.

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 full year expectations."

The Queen's Award for Enterprise

Nichols plc has a long standing, successful export business which in recent years has delivered strong growth for the Group. I am delighted to confirm that this has been recognised and we have been awarded a Queen's Award for International Trade. This prestigious award is made annually by H. M. the Queen to businesses achieving substantial overseas growth for a sustained period.

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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 Levi Roots, Weight Watchers, Sunkist & Panda which are sold in the UK. The Group has a leading market position in both the "Still" and "Carbonate" drinks categories and also in the soft drinks on dispense market, where its brands include Cabana & Ben Shaws.