AGM Statement

RNS Number : 5357S

Nichols PLC

20 May 2009

 



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: [phone]
	Website:www.nicholsplc.co.uk
	Alistair Mackinnon-Musson	Mark Brady
	Nathan Field	Brewin Dolphin Ltd
	Hudson Sandler	(Nominated Adviser)
	Telephone:[phone]	Telephone: [phone]
	Email: [e-mail]	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.”

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

 

Nichols plc is a highly focused soft drinks and dispensed cold drinks business, comprising two operations:

 

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)

 

                       

           

 

END

 

 

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