The UK’s Independent pubs are still missing out on soft drinks profits, despite rises in mature sub-categories such as juices and cola last year, a report from soft drinks company Britvic Soft Drinks says.
The latest figures reveal that soft drinks are growing above the market rate of 4% in both managed and leased & tenanted outlets, at 8% and 7% respectively. However, independents are lagging behind, with 1% value growth in the last year and a 4% decline over the key summer months.
“Independents need to take on board some of the lessons that managed and leased & tenanted outlets have learnt in the past few years if they are to see significant soft drinks growth,” said Sue Garfitt, director of category planning at Britvic Soft Drinks.
“Soft drinks play an increasingly important part in pub-goers repertoires as adults switch to healthier drinking options and the family food occasion continues to grow. Pubs need to ensure they offer the right range of soft drinks to suit these changing preferences.
“Premium packaged soft drinks have been the success story of the last year, putting mature sub-categories such as cola and pure fruit juice back into significant growth.”
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By GlobalDataFruit juice has experienced double digit growth in all outlets, driven, the company said by the success of its own J20 brand, which has seen value growth of 83%.
In managed outlets, cola growth is up to 16%, with a 19% rise for Diet Pepsi and 20% for regular Pepsi, and 9% for Diet Coke and 20% for regular Coca-Cola. However, independents have seen a 1% decline in cola sales.
Sue Garfitt concluded: “Right Choice, our soft drinks management programme, has identified that licensees need to encourage pub goers to spend more on premium soft drinks, buy soft drinks more frequently and purchase greater volumes if they are to grow the market further.
“Independents in particular still have a long way to go in recognising that bigger profits come from not just the right brands but also the right packs and promoting these to their customers.”
Data source: ACNielsen Brewers Sept 02 value MAT unless stated.
