Interim Results
Interim Results for the six months ended 30th September 2018
Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands; RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva Vodka, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30th September 2018.
Operational review:
· New listings achieved in France and Canada
· Increased investment in marketing support at point of sale
· Development of new gift packaging and miniature bottle formats
· Implementation of operational cost savings
Financial Review - versus same period last year:
· Revenue increased by 42.3% to £1.164m (2017: £0.818m)
· Gross profit increased by 54.7% to £710k (2017: £459k)
· Volume (litres) increased by 30.7%
· Investment in brand marketing and promotion increased by 56.8% to £312k (2017: £199k)
· Other administration costs increased by 9.7% to £293k (2017: £267k)
· Operating profit of £101k (2017: loss £21k)
· Cash reserves of £957k (2017: £690k)
Don Goulding Executive Chairman, commenting on these results said:
"The strong growth momentum enjoyed in the previous financial year has continued into the six months to 30 September 2018 and I am pleased to report healthy year-on-year increases in revenue, profit and cash.
Investment in marketing support increased ahead of sales as we continued to build our brands. Additional funds were also used to develop gift packaging for RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin, ready for launch ahead of the Christmas trading period, together with a range of miniature bottle formats.
Operational improvements together with significant volume growth during the period have assisted gains in gross profit margin and contribution margin.
We have also ensured all planned measures to maximise benefits and offset possible risks relating to the UK exit from the EU have been finalised and fully implemented, well ahead of the anticipated date of March 2019."
Executive Chairman's Statement
Results versus same period last year
We delivered further year-on-year sales and volume growth across our brands during the period. Sales revenue advanced 42% whilst combined case volume grew 31% despite a decline of Blavod licensed sales in Eastern Europe. RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin delivered particularly strong performances across the retail segment.
Gross Profit margin improved to 61% from last year's previous high of 56% whilst brand marketing investment increased by 57%, feeding through to an improved contribution margin of 34%, up from 32% in the same period last year.
Our strong brand performance, operational improvements and continued tight control of overheads enabled us to deliver a maiden first half profit during the period.
Operations
Having a strong consumer promotional programme in place, our main focus during the first half has been to work with our production and packaging partners to ensure efficient and cost effective supply to our customers and distributors especially during the unusually hot summer which resulted in higher than usual promotional demand spikes.
During this time, we maintained supply throughout and improved margins.
Outlook
The important Christmas trading period is always aggressively contested but likely to be particularly competitive this year within the Spirits market as all categories fight to regain market share from gin. In the growing gin category, we are likely to see the variety of new brands and flavours competing for distribution, trial and share.
Our promotional plans are in place supported by additional PR and social media campaigns, new cocktail recipes together with new premium gift packaging for Blackwoods Gin and RedLeg Spiced Rum, details of which will be shown on our websites in early November.