Irn-Bru bosses have reported a sales surge over the last six months, fuelled by robust demand for soft drinks despite "disappointing early summer weather". However, AG Barr also revealed a dip in profits due to one-off costs associated with the earlier closure of its Barr Direct delivery operation and the integration of Boost, the energy drink brand it acquired in 2022.
This growth occurred in spite of a marginal volume decrease in the broader UK soft drink market, which had been put down partly to the poor weather in the first months of summer. AG Barr highlighted exceptional sales from its Rubicon range, while Irn-Bru also saw an uptick due to positive trading connected to its Euro 2024 marketing campaign.
The company has maintained its performance targets for the remainder of the year, emphasising that it remains "conscious of the current pressure on consumers". Mr Sutherland, who took over as AG Barr's CEO in May, stated: "My first few months with the business has further cemented my view that AG Barr is an excellent business with exciting, tangible and deliverable growth opportunities.
He also predicted: "We anticipate a strong second-half performance from our four core brands – Irn-Bru, Rubicon, Boost and Funkin – in particular, with current trading momentum underpinned by further marketing and innovation activities."