Following a strong end to the year, soft-drinks maker Britvic (BVIC) has raised its full-year profit guidance from £125m-£131m to £133m-£134m. However, bumper trading in the fourth quarter, which saw group sales, at constant currencies, rise 13 per cent to £366m, was more down to the hot summer weather in the UK and the return of the Fruit Shoot drink to normal levels (following a recall in early July 2012) than underlying volume growth.
The GB stills, France and International segments all benefited from the return of Fruit Shoot, helping volumes to grow, which, coupled with price increases, led to significant revenue growth and higher profits. The Irish market, meanwhile, remained tough. Year-to-date, group volumes have actually fallen 0.4 per cent, with revenue growth driven by price increases.
