Britvic Is Fizzing As Profits Reflect Move Away From Costly Smoothies to Squash ; Beverages in Association with Www.Rbs.Co.Uk

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Soft drinks maker Britvic produced a 14 per cent rise in profits after its Robinsons squash, Pepsi and Fruit Shoot brands outperformed the market.

The firm's shares closed six per cent higher at 231.75p yesterday after it announced a strong performance despite a challenging year in which damp summer weather, mounting costs and economic gloom depressed the soft drinks market. Chief executive Paul Moody said the company's "strong brands" set it apart: "Once again we have outperformed the market across all key categories," he said. Smoothies and fruit juices were off the menu for consumers this year, Britvic said, as consumers were increasingly drawn to value products like squash. Despite the downturn, the group reported a 14 per cent rise in pre tax profits for the full year to September 28, to pounds 70million from pounds 61million in 2007. Group sales were up 29 per cent, to pounds 926million, from pounds 716million.

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Britvic Is Fizzing As Profits Reflect Move Away From Costly Smoothies to Squash ; Beverages in Association with Www.Rbs.Co.Uk

The Chelmsford and Solihull...

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