"Solid start to the year, confident of making further progress in 2018"
Britvic today reports first quarter revenue of £337.2m, an increase of 3.3% on the prior year. Organic revenue, which excludes the Bela Ischia acquisition, increased 0.7%.
Simon Litherland, Chief Executive, commented:
"We have delivered a solid start to the new financial year, with group revenue growing 3.3% ahead of a strong first quarter last year. As we said at our preliminary results, the introduction of a soft drinks industry levy in the UK and Ireland brings a level of uncertainty, but we are well placed to navigate this given the strength and breadth of our brand portfolio and exciting marketing and innovation plans. In addition, our continued focus on revenue and cost management and the delivery of the final phase of our business capability programme means we remain confident of making further progress in 2018."
Quarter One Headlines
GB revenue increased 1.0% as GB carbonates continued to outperform the market. Carbonates revenue increased 4.9%, driven by the continued success of Pepsi MAX in a very competitive market. GB stills revenue declined 6.6% with a volume decline of 4.4%. In the second quarter, we are launching the more premium Robinsons "Fruit Creations" and "Cordials" ranges into grocery, supported by a multichannel advertising campaign. With Palmer and Harvey entering administration, we have absorbed a number of one-off costs. However, we do not anticipate any longer-term impact with our customer base now being supplied by other wholesalers.
France revenue declined 5.0% in a subdued market, and lapping a strong comparative last year when revenue increased 6.3%. A decline in syrups was partly offset by growth in the Pressade juice brand.
Ireland revenue increased 16.5%, benefiting from the acquisition of East Coast in the second quarter last year, which has improved our presence in the growing on-trade channel. Owned-brand revenue also increased, due to positive price/mix, led by the stills portfolio.
International revenue declined 8.1%, compared to a 19.8% increase in quarter one last year which followed the launch of the Fruit Shoot multipack in the United States.
Brazil revenue increased 22.6%, benefiting from the acquisition of Bela Ischia in the second quarter last year. Organic revenue declined 6.5%, reflecting the continuation of the challenging consumer environment.
Business Capability Programme: The collective consultation on the proposed closure of our Norwich factory has ended and the site will close in 2019. Every effort will be made to support affected employees to find new roles or alternative employment. The final phase of the business capability programme will result in the creation of c.80 new roles at our Rugby site, with the introduction of new lines and warehousing. It is anticipated that we will incur approximately £35m-£40m of one-off costs this year, primarily in relation to the business capability programme and the closure of Norwich, with a proportion of the cash impact realised in 2019. We are now in the final phase of transforming our supply chain, which will deliver significant cost and commercial benefits.
For further information please contact:
| Investors: | ||
| Steve Nightingale | Director of Investor Relations | +44 (0) 7808 09 7784 |
| Media: | ||
| Victoria McKenzie-Gould | Director of Corporate Affairs | +44 (0) 7885 82 8342 |
| Ben Foster / Rosie Oddy | Teneo Blue Rubicon | +44 (0) 203 603 5229 |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement includes statements that are forward-looking in nature. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the group to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, Britvic undertakes no obligation to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date such statements are published.
QUARTER ONE ("Q1") REPORTING PERIOD
Britvic GB, Ireland and Britvic International's first-quarter period runs from 2 October to 24 December 2017. Britvic France, Britvic Brazil and Counterpoint cover the period from 1 October to 31 December 2017. Please note that Britvic Ireland's volume and ARP exclude the sale of third-party factored brands through Counterpoint.
MARKET DATA
GB take-home market data referred to in this announcement is supplied by Nielsen and runs to 23 December 2017. French market data is supplied by IRI and runs to 7 January 2017.
NEXT SCHEDULED ANNOUNCEMENT
Britvic will release its interim results on 23 May 2018.
NOTES TO EDITORS
BRITVIC REVENUE, VOLUME AND AVERAGE REALISED PRICE (ARP)
| Quarter 1 | Actual | % Change on last year | |
| Actual Exchange Rate | Constant Exchange Rate |
||
| Revenue £m | |||
| GB Carbonates | 132.8 | 4.9% | 4.9% |
| GB Stills | 61.2 | -6.6% | -6.6% |
| GB Total | 194.0 | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| International | 7.9 | -7.1% | -8.1% |
| Ireland | 42.3 | 18.5% | 16.5% |
| France | 57.2 | -3.2% | -5.0% |
| Brazil | 35.8 | 18.9% | 22.6% |
| TOTAL GROUP | 337.2 | 3.6% | 3.3% |
| ORGANIC (EXCLUDING BELA ISCHIA) | 328.7 | 1.0% | 0.7% |
| ARP PPL | |||
| GB Carbonates | 43.3p | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| GB Stills | 78.4p | -2.2% | -2.2% |
| GB Total | 50.4p | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| International | 105.3p | 10.3% | 9.0% |
| Ireland | 53.3p | 5.1% | 3.5% |
| France | 95.5p | 4.4% | 2.5% |
| Brazil | 61.1p | -3.3% | -0.3% |
| TOTAL GROUP | 57.3p | 2.1% | 1.8% |
| ORGANIC (EXCLUDING BELA ISCHIA) | 57.2p | 2.0% | 1.6% |
| Volume M Litres | |||
| GB Carbonates | 306.9 | -0.5% | -0.5% |
| GB Stills | 78.1 | -4.4% | -4.4% |
| GB Total | 385.0 | -1.3% | -1.3% |
| International | 7.5 | -15.7% | -15.7% |
| Ireland | 53.7 | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| France | 59.9 | -7.3% | -7.3% |
| Brazil | 58.6 | 23.1% | 23.1% |
| TOTAL GROUP | 564.7 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| ORGANIC (EXCLUDING BELA ISCHIA) | 550.3 | -2.6% | -2.6% |