Business
Covid-19 update and actions
Covid-19 update and actions.
About this update from Coca-cola Hbc Ag
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \n \n RNS Number : 8413H\n Coca-Cola HBC AG\n 27 March 2020\n \n \n \n \n Coca-Cola HBC AG\n \n \n Covid-19 update and actions\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Zug, Switzerland - 27 March 2020 -\n \n \n On 19 March 2020, in connection with the release of our 2019 Annual Report and full year 2019 audited results announcement, Coca-Cola HBC acknowledged the COVID-19 outbreak and its potential greater impact in people's life, communities and global economy. \n \n \n \n \n \n The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented event that will in some way touch everybody on the planet. As a food and beverage business, we have a recognised and important role to play in this crisis. The safety of our employees, customers, partners, consumers and products remains our highest priority. Wherever and whenever we can, we are actively supporting those who continue to have their lives changed or impacted by the virus, and those who are tirelessly and selflessly supporting the affected. We remain incredibly grateful for the extraordinary efforts that all our people are making in ensuring business continuity and continued product supply to our customers.\n \n \n In parallel, we have implemented appropriate contingency and business continuity plans in order to safeguard that our production plants and supply chain remain fully operational. We have implemented global best-practice precautionary and hygiene measures at all our locations, including even stricter sanitation protocols, social distancing, travel restrictions and, where possible, our people are working from home. To-date this has meant that our supply chain is operational. As we move forward and governments step up their efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 we may see some disruption, although the extent and duration is unknown.\n \n \n \n \n \n Current trading\n \n \n \n \n \n Trading in January and February was in line with our expectations. During March, trading across our markets has been dependant on the severity of restrictions on mobility. In markets with heavy restrictions, such as Italy as well as central and southern Europe, demand in the 'out of home' channel has been severely affected. In these markets, 'out of home' represents c. 35-40% of sales. \n \n \n \n \n \n Given this situation, we are already looking at cost-sa...