Redleg listed in major UK supermarket chain and Trading update
Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva vodka, is pleased to announce that another leading supermarket group has listed RedLeg Spiced Rum for its stores. The listing is effective from May 2017, further increasing the brand's presence and availability throughout the UK.
We are also pleased to report continued strong growth in sales volumes and revenues during the fourth quarter (January - March 2017).
Unaudited year-on-year fourth quarter revenues rose by 23% and volumes grew by 25%. Comparative fourth quarter 2016 sales included the Easter promotional period through March; this year however, Easter promotional sales will appear in April and are not included in the year-on-year sales revenue and volume increases highlighted above. The Company anticipates full year performance to be slightly ahead of the most recently updated market expectations* and we look forward to reporting our audited full year results in June 2017
Premium gin remains buoyant and Blackwoods gin is enjoying strong growth especially in the UK.
RedLeg spiced rum continues to make excellent progress on all fronts as awareness, product trial and repeat purchase build, supported by advances in distribution especially in the On Trade. Blavod Black Vodka sales volumes also returned to growth mainly through Duty Free and Eastern Europe.
Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil, said:
"All of our key brands enjoyed good growth year on year during Q4 despite lapping numbers which included Easter promotions in 2016. We continue to focus on brand building and distribution gains and are making very good progress.
Premium spirits continue to outperform the overall spirits market and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future. Our brands remain well positioned within their respective categories."