Recall, rain and recession knock back Britvic

Chief executive Paul Moody said that although the company's UK fizzy drinks brands – Pepsi in particular – did well in Olympic year and Robinsons squash regained a high share of the market, Britvic had, in other respects, endured a difficult year in which progress was more than offset by the impact of the Fruit Shoot product recall. "Additionally, the negative macro-economic trends, leading to weak consumer confidence and the cold, wet summer endured across most of our markets, weighed heavily on the soft drinks market and Britvic within it," Moody concluded. "The Fruit Shoot product recall was regrettable, but necessary in order to protect the safety of our consumers. The business responded quickly and efficiently to manage the situation and refocused our priorities as required over the balance of the year." Overall sales for the year were down 0.8% to £1,256.4m while pre-tax profits fell by almost 20% to £84.4m.