Business
Pre-Close Trading Statement
Pre-Close Trading Statement.
About this update from Nichols Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 3358X Nichols PLC 10 January 2014 \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\nDate:\n\n\nEmbargoed until 0700 Friday 10th January 2014\n \n\n\n\n\nContacts:\n\n\nJohn Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman\n\n\n\n\nMarnie Millard, Group Chief Executive\nTim Croston, Group Finance Director\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\nAlex Brennan / Nick Lyon\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: 0113 388 4855/ 0207 496 3000\n\n\n\n\nEmail: [email protected]\n\n\nWebsite: www.n1singer.com\n\n\n\n\n \n \nNichols plc\nPre-Close Trading Statement\n \nNichols plc (\"the Group\") today issues the following pre-close trading update for the year ended 31 December 2013.\n \nI am pleased to report that the Group has continued its strong performance into the second half of 2013. \n \nGroup sales in the second half of 2013 grew by 4% compared to the prior year and will total c£109.9m for the full year, 2% ahead of 2012.\n \nOur UK sales gained momentum in the second half of 2013, increasing by 5% year on year taking the full year total to c£86.8m, 2% ahead of the prior year. Also during 2013 we have successfully delivered our strategy to improve profitability with both revenue per case and margin showing good improvement compared to 2012.\n \nWe have successfully grown our market share of the Still category resulting in Vimto dilute sales increasing by 11% in the year and have continued with our planned reduction in promotional activity in the heavily discounted Carbonate category, where Vimto carbonate sales are down by 6%. \n \nWithin our International business, continued growth in the African markets and a stronger second half year in the Middle East have delivered full year sales of c£23.1m which is 2% ahead of the prior year. \n \nOur balance sheet remains strong and 2013 trading has continued to generate positive cash flow in line with our expectations. \n \nWe are well positioned to maintain our performance into 2014 and continue to invest in our brands, including a new creative media campaign for Vimto which will commence in the spring. \n&...