Miller Brands UK (MBUK) first half results show that the companies volumes grew 5% across the UK. The company say this is the result of “increased rate of sale, impactful marketing initiatives and good weather over the summer period.” MBUK also reported 11% Net Producer Revenue (NPR) growth on trading for the six months ending September 2014.
Continued growth of Italian style brand, Peroni Nastro Azzurro has seen it maintain its position as the number one premium lager brand by value in the On-Trade, with a value share of 33% within the World Beer category. New innovations such as Piccola, a new 25cl bottle launched in June 2014 – aimed at pre-dinner drinks continue to drive desire for world beer, across a variety of drinking occasions.
Czech brand Pilsner Urquell strengthened its position with volume growth of 19% through continued impact of Wooden Barrel sampling. While on draught – easy-drinking flavoursome Czech brand Kozel experienced a strong first half with 27% volume increase. The company also revealed that Belgian Abbey beer St Stefanus, which is brewed and imported from Ghent will now be available nationally though Matthew Clark.
Gary Haigh, Managing Director of Miller Brands UK, said, “The industry has long suffered declining volumes and it’s great to be supporting the recovery of this with brands such as Peroni Nastro Azzuro, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. These brands carry heritage whilst continuing to innovate therefore driving the category forward and exciting new consumers to world beer.”
