A.G.Barr says sports sponsorship with its Strathmore water brand has helped drive a 10% increase in company profit, with its other drinks also benefiting from sporting associations.
By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn from the European Parliament in Brussels
The food industry should provide facts if it expects EU decision makers to consider dismantling the controversial novel foods regulation it has long-argued discourages innovation, a UK member of the European Parliament (MEP) said at a workshop in Brussels...
Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) CEO David Frost has welcomed the 'stability' that a 'No' vote will ensure after the Scottish people voted to reject independence from the rest of the UK.
Rabobank believes the short-term impact of Scottish independence on the whisky industry would be negative – affecting access to export markets, foreign exchange, taxation rates and input costs.
Thousands of Scots will vote for or against Scottish independence this Thursday (September 18), but how do some of the UK’s biggest food and drink firms think independence will affect them?
Tesco says the Commonwealth Games has heightened UK demand for iconic Scottish food and drink such as haggis, shortbread, malt whisky, smoked salmon, bottled water and Tunnocks tea cakes.
Retail sales of Scottish food and drink brands in the UK rose by £513m from 2007 – figures the Scottish government says will deliver clout in the upcoming independence referendum.
Skeptical Englishman and former schoolboy squash drinker Ben Bouckley predicts that Vimto’s super-concentrated squash won’t wash in a market saturated with budget options, despite Mio’s US success.
ZENITH INTERNATIONAL & BSDA UK SOFT DRINKS CONFERENCE, MAY 7
Bottlegreen insists that premium glass cordial sales are booming in the UK as the brand – which counts Princess Anne as a fan – pushes new flavors including blackcurrant and coffee.
SPOKESMAN SAID UK POLICE PROBED CONNECTION VIA US AUTHORITIES
UK police tell BeverageDaily.com they are aware that a killer drink laced with cocaine and a massive haul of drug-infused juice found by US Federal officers both bore labels illegally aping brands owned by Trinidad's SM Jaleel & Co.
Free Drinks insists consumers have been trapped between ‘sugary sweet and water’ in adult soft drinks with little in-between, as it ramps up distribution of its ZEO brand across the UK in 2014.
Bartex’s Red Army Vodka – which comes in a bottle the shape of a rifle - has breached alcohol responsibility rules because of its association with violence and aggression, according to a UK regulatory body.
More favorable consumer attitudes are leading European spirits brands to invest in smaller-sized bottles, says Mintel analyst Jonny Forsyth, a move he claims is helping ‘democratize’ gift buying in the segment.
The UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has closed submissions regarding any concerns in relation to Graphic Packaging Holding Company and its acquisition of Benson Group.
United Spirits will reportedly fetch £350m for its Whyte & Mackay whisky business in the UK, with rumours spreading that Gruppo Campari could be interested given its sizable war chest.
Coke-owned Innocent is launching a functional smoothie range in the UK from April centered on soft health claims - three varieties will use 'defense' 'energise' and 'antioxidant' positioning.
Graphic Packaging Holding Company has announced its European subsidiary will buy Benson Group, a food and healthcare packaging company in the UK for $165m.
Nestlé chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe has warned that the United Kingdom would suffer economic isolation if the nation decides to leave the European Union.
HOUSE OF COMMONS STRANGERS BAR HAS HISTORY OF FISTICUFFS
The British Beer and Pubs Association (BBPA) is creating a bottled beer for UK Parliament but insists MPs won't be seen staggering around the corridors of Westminster.
A British Medical Journal (BMJ) article claims the UK government held a ‘sham consultation’ on minimum unit pricing for alcohol and laments the influence of large alcohol firms and retailers such as Asda.
The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) provides grants to support students taking science and technology courses and funds apprenticeships – here we profile four young UK high fliers!
A 20% tax on sugary soft drinks could reduce the prevalence of obesity in the UK by 1.3%, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.
The finalists in Sainsbury’s ‘Great British Beer Hunt’ will face off this September with the winner set to winner an exclusive nationwide listing with the UK retailer.
Prunes sold across the European Union can claim they contribute to “normal bowel function”, making the fruits the first whole fruit to win a claim under the EU’s new food marketing rules.
Management target $45m cost savings to mAKE CASE FOR STANDALONE FUTURE
Trade union Unite has described the threat to 290 Britvic jobs across three UK sites as a ‘bitter blow’and aims to talk with management next week in a bid to save the firm’s historic Chelmsford factory.
Cott Beverages has signed a deal to acquire UK food service player Cooke Bros Holdings for a undisclosed sum, and said the purchase fitted its diversification strategy as it aims to bring new soft drink packaging formats to market.
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) says it does not plan to investigate nearly 70 complaints relating to a video advert for avowedly Scottish soft drink Irn Bru, following claims that the advert is anti-English.
Coca-Cola lost UK volume share in 2012, while Pepsi grew both its volume and value share and Lucozade and Red Bull’s success reflected growing consumer interest in functional drinks.
Tetra Pak has confirmed to BeverageDaily that it will close its current UK and Ireland commercial and distribution hub in Wales but plans to open a new site in the locale, with Chester the ‘preferred’ location.
With rumors swirling that Japanese giant Suntory is considering a $6bn IPO next year, one analyst reasons that any desire to enter the UK market could see it target Barr Britvic Soft Drinks.
December 14 brings the long awaited and widely disputed EU crack down on health claims. That means 222 general function claims are good to go, another 1500 or so prohibited. But what happens to B2B communications?
Cott Beverages VP of marketing, Jon Biller, tells BeverageDaily.com that his firm often 'fast follows' where big brands lead, but that retailers are now demanding innovation, as evidenced by a recent first to market launch.
AG Barr and Britvic have confirmed that they are extending the offer deadline regarding their potential merger to October 3, as reports suggest deadlock in talks to agree a new group name.
A.G Barr has not revealed any details on the progress of talks regarding its possible merger with PepsiCo bottler Britvic, as it reported H1 2012 results today.
AkzoNobel has said it is ‘disappointed’ after the UK Competition Commission (CC) preliminarily ruled against a merger deal over fears it could damage competition in the sector and see prices rise.
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) admits that it lost volume and value share in Great Britain in H1 2012 due to promotional activity from rivals, but insists it regained ground over the past month.
Britvic has withdrawn Ballygowan Water products from sale in Northern Ireland and Ireland due to an 'off odor', according to the UK FSA and the Irish FSAI, in the second recall-related incident to blight the company in as many months.
Tetra Pak cartons hold the lowest appeal among all packaging formats for UK wine consumers, and face a tough fight to win significant market share from the likes of glass and PET.
