Financial highlights:
· Revenue growth of 4.7% to £670.7m, with volume growth of 3.9% and ARP growth of 0.8%
o GB revenue up 5.0%, outperforming the GB take-home soft drinks market
o France revenue up 7%, with both volume and ARP growth
o Ireland revenue down 5.2% as the consumer environment remained difficult
· Group EBITA of £60.5m, up 12.9% on last year, driven by revenue growth and tight cost control
· Half-year adjusted EPS of 14.5p, up 16.9% on last year
· Interim dividend of 6.1p, up 13.0% on last year, reflecting confidence in future prospects
Strategic highlights:
· Focus has remained on building sustainable profit and margin improvement
· Strong progress on strategic cost initiatives: on-track to deliver £30m annual cost saving by 2016
· New operating model established with significant change programme nearing completion
· Nationwide distribution of Fruit Shoot in the USA secured through additional PAB territories and new independent bottler agreements
· Fruit Shoot India launch on track, with in-market production to commence imminently
