Beer and cider maker C&C Group has said it expects ‘challenging’ economic conditions to persist as the rising cost of living weighs on consumers.
The company said volumes have dropped in many product categories as ‘fragile’ sentiment has caused many Britons to curb spending on visits to pubs and restaurants.
C&C, which makes Tennent’s lager and Magners and Bulmers cider, said the UK’s hospitality industry had seen ‘another year of turbulence’ in 2025.
Its sales at traditional drink-focused pubs in Britain have proved ‘resilient’, rising by 1 per cent in the last 12 months but they fell away by 2.9 per cent at food-focused venues.
The Dublin-based, UK-listed firm reported that overall revenues slipped by 4 per cent to £724.4million for the six months to the end of August, compared with a year earlier, driven by changes to its distribution agreement with Budweiser Brewing Group.
Overall sales for its brands fell by 1.3 per cent though Tennent’s and Bulmers delivered revenue growth, the group said. It is seeking to ‘reinvigorate’ Magners but said this ‘will take time’.
Sales slump: Magners-maker C&C said volumes have dropped in many product categories as ‘fragile’ sentiment has caused many Britons to curb spending on visits to pubs and restaurants
C&C said adjusted pre-tax profits lifted by 12 per cent to £28million for the half-year.
Chief executive Roger White said: ‘We have delivered a solid first-half performance against a challenging market backdrop.
‘We believe we are well prepared for the all-important festive trading period, and whilst we expect challenging economic conditions to persist, we remain committed to the delivery of our full-year earnings targets.’
C&C said it expects ‘solid trading’ over the rest of the year. Shares rose 0.8p, or 0.6 per cent, to 136.8p.
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
AJ Bell
AJ Bell
Easy investing and ready-made portfolios
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown
Free fund dealing and investment ideas
interactive investor
interactive investor
Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month
InvestEngine
InvestEngine
Account and trading fee-free ETF investing
Trading 212
Trading 212
Free share dealing and no account fee
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.
Compare the best investing account for you
#Hangover #Magners #cidermaker #cost #living #crunch #weighs #consumers
