J2O owner reveals plans to rebuild investment following "encouraging" trading increase

The drinks company behind Robinsons and Tango has today announced plans to “rebuild investment” in its brands as it aims to return to growth.

Britvic, which also owns the J2O and Drench brands, said that it will ramp up investment in the second half of the year to drive long-term growth and capitalise on market opportunities.

This comes after “encouraging” trading in the first weeks of the half as lockdown measures across the country begin to ease.

In the first half of the year, the company’s revenue decreased by 6.3 per cent to £617.1m, with profits before tax falling 14.7 per cent to £33.2m.

Simon Litherland, CEO of Britvic, commented: “In challenging circumstances, we have delivered a robust first half performance, demonstrating the resilience and agility of our business.

“We have continued to win in the channels open to us and have gained share in our key growth markets of GB and Brazil.

“Our cash management has been particularly strong, and I am pleased to reinstate our interim dividend.

“We have also made good progress on our strategic opportunities, such as simplifying our Irish business, entering the mainstream energy category in GB and Ireland by relaunching Rockstar with PepsiCo, and acquiring Plenish, a leading natural premium brand in the fast growing plant based drinks category.

“In the second half we plan to rebuild investment behind our brands to ensure we emerge strongly and are best positioned for the recovery as it evolves.

“As lockdown restrictions have started to ease in some of our markets, early trading has been encouraging.

“Although some uncertainty does remain, I am confident that our strategy and focus on People, Planet and Performance will ensure we deliver growth for all our stakeholders, both in the short and long term.”

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