Business
2017 Trading Update
2017 Trading Update.
About this update from Nichols Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 7064Z Nichols PLC 19 December 2017 \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\nDate:\n\n\nEmbargoed until 07.00 Tuesday 19 December 2017\n \n\n\n\n\nContacts:\n\n\nJohn Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman\n\n\n\n\nMarnie Millard, Group Chief Executive Officer\nTim Croston, Group Chief Financial Officer\nAndrew Milne, Group Commercial Director\n \n\n\n\n\nNichols plc\n\n\n\n\nTelephone: 01925 222222\n\n\n\n\nWebsite:www.nicholsplc.co.uk\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nNick Lyon/Hattie O'Reilly\n\n\nRichard Lindley\n\n\n\n\nHudson Sandler\n\n\nN+1 Singer (Nominated Adviser)\n\n\n\n\nTelephone:020 7796 4133\n\n\nTelephone: 0207 496 3000\n\n\n\n\nEmail: [email protected]\n\n\nWebsite: www.n1singer.com\n\n\n\n\n \n \nNichols plc\n2017 Trading Update\n \nNichols plc (\"the Group\"), today issues the following trading update for the year ending 31 December 2017.\n \nWe anticipate Group sales for the year ending 31 December 2017 to continue the strong trend reported at the half year. This sales performance is again being delivered from both our UK and international business.\n \nUK sales of the Vimto brand are 9.0% ahead of the prior year (as at November 2017). This performance is significantly ahead of the UK market growth of 2.3% (Nielsen year to date 2 December 2017). As previously reported, this strong sales performance helps mitigate the margin impact from the increased input costs affecting the industry. \n \nInternationally, our business in Africa has again delivered an excellent performance with full year revenues anticipated to be in excess of 20% ahead of the strong prior year comparatives.\n \nWhilst 2017 sales are still expected to be ahead of the prior year, the recent escalation of hostilities in Yemen has resulted in the supply route to our Yemeni customer being blockaded. Therefore, at this time we are unable to send any further Vimto concentrate shipments that were planned for December 2017. As a consequence, management currently expects adjusted Group Profit Before Tax for the year ending 31 December 2017 to be in line with the prior year.\n \n \nOutlook \n \nFor the year ahead, we are confident that the strong sales trend will continue in the UK with the Vimto brand being supported by a new marketing campaign launching in ...