UK Irn Bru sales hit new Barr

Barr's Irn Bru sales rose by 4% year-on-year

Scottish drinks giant AG Barr said demand for soft drinks increased despite the poor summer weather.

Both Irn-Bru and Tizer increased their market share and helped lift half year sales to £66.3m.

The Glasgow-based company also said strong marketing and promotional plans for the second half left it well placed to deal with competition from rivals.

Operating profits rose to £7.4m while at the bottom line pre-tax profits were 10% higher at £7.9m.

Barr said the higher bottom line figure reflected the "underlying fundamental strength" of the business.

Chief executive Roger White said: "We made excellent progress across the business in what has been a challenging market."

The hike in turnover reflected a particularly strong performance in Scotland, where Irn-Bru and the diet version of the drink saw a 4% year-on-year increase in sales.

Barr said a change in promotions in England would mean more investment in Irn-Bru in the second half.

The firm employs nearly 1,000 people across the country at sites including Kirkcaldy and Fife.