Tennent’s stands out for C&C

Drinks group C&C said yesterday that its Scottish businesses had “excelled” this year, as it highlighted a strong performance from lager brand Tennent’s.

Unveiling results for the year to the end of February, the Irish firm said Tennent’s had benefited from continued investment in social media, product innovation, sponsorship and a new fount roll-out programme.

While brand volumes were flat, that outperformed a total beer market that was down by 2 per cent. In the free trade sector in Scotland, the brand grew customers, share and value, C&C noted. Off-trade volumes were up 3 per cent, again taking share. Net sales revenues for the Tennent’s brand for the period were up 5.3 per cent in the UK.

The firm said: “We completed the roll-out of over 5,000 new Tennent’s founts across the Scottish on-trade. The new founting produced increased rate of sale in a sample of participating stockists of 2.8 per cent and helped drive outperformance against peers and the market.

“Our social media activity in Tennent’s continues to win both share of mind with Scottish consumers and industry awards.”

Commenting on the recent introductionofminimumunit pricing of alcohol in Scotland, the group said: “C&C has been supportive of this legislation since inception and believes it is an important step in tackling the social and human cost of problem drinking, particularly amongst Scotland’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.”

C&C, whose other brands include Magners cider and Heverlee Belgian lager, reported a 4.9 per cent fall in overall group revenues to €548.2 million (£479.2m). Operating profit for the year came in at €86.1m, down 7 per cent.

Boss Stephen Glancey said: “Our Scottish businesses excelled this year. Our Tennent’s wholesale distribution business performed strongly.”