Strong Vimto sales boost Nichols

20th May 2009 15:20

Soft drinks group Nichols said trading in the new financial year has started ahead of expectations, helped by strong sales of its core Vimto brand.Sales of the fruity carbonated drink were up by 11.8% in the 12 weeks to 18 April, against a total soft drinks market increase of 0.6%.Nichols intends to keep pressing growth of Vimto, with a new advertising campaign beginning on June 5. The firm also saw trading ahead of expectations at its dispense operation Dayla, which sells syrups used by bars to make soft drinks."We are pleased with the group's continued progress and we are confident of delivering both sales and earnings growth in line with expectations for the full year," Nichols said.