Nichols PLC Trading Update (2793L)

TIDMNICL

RNS Number : 2793L

Nichols PLC

12 January 2021

Nichols plc

(the "Company" or "Group')

Trading Update

Nichols plc, the diversified soft drinks Group, provides the following trading update for the 12 months to 31 December 2020 ("the period").

During the period the Vimto brand achieved strong growth in the UK and the Group's International business continued to perform well. However, as reported by the Group in its trading update on 19 November 2020, this progress was offset by declines in the Group's UK Out of Home ("OoH") route to market, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In line with the Board's expectations, total Group revenue in the period decreased by 19.3% to GBP118.7m versus the prior year. The Group expects to report Adjusted Profit Before Tax ("PBT")1 for FY20 in line with its previous guidance.

As anticipated, trading in Q4 remained very challenging in the Group's OoH route to market. Q4 revenues in OoH were 84% lower than those seen in the same period of 2019 as large proportions of the UK entered Tier 3 and Tier 4 restrictions resulting in the closure of outlets.

Cash generation has remained strong through 2020 and despite the financial challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were GBP47.3m (31 December 2019: GBP40.9m).

Whilst recognising the current and near-term impact of the pandemic on the soft drinks market, the Board continues to believe that Nichols, underpinned by the strength of the Vimto brand, the Group's diversified business model and the robust balance sheet, remains well placed to deliver its long-term strategic ambitions.

The Group will publish its 2020 preliminary results on 3 March 2021.

1 Excluding Exceptional items

Contacts

 
 Andrew Milne, Group Chief Executive Officer 
  David Rattigan, Group Chief Financial Officer 
 Nichols plc 
 Telephone: [phone] 
 Website: www.nicholsplc.co.uk 
 Alex Brennan / Elfie Kent/         Steve Pearce / Rachel Hayes 
  Ailsa Duckett 
 Hudson Sandler                     N+1 Singer (Nominated Adviser 
                                     and Broker) 
 Telephone: [phone]           Telephone: [phone] 
 Email: [e-mail]   Website: www.n1singer.com 
 

Notes to Editors:

Nichols plc is an international soft drinks business with sales in over 85 countries, selling products in both the Still and Carbonate categories. The Group is home to the iconic Vimto brand which is popular in the UK and around the world, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Other brands in its portfolio include Feel Good, Starslush, ICEE, Levi Roots and Sunkist.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

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January 12, 2021 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)