Gingardium Leviosa: Harry Potter star Emma Watson’s gin brand takes off Retail The luxury gin brand co-founded by Harry Potter star Emma Watson has surged in value after raising an extra £5m. Renais Gin was launched in May 2023 by the actor and her brother Alex and is now sold in 11 countries. The siblings were inspired to set up the company by childhood trips to their family’s vineyard, [...]
Red Bull sales spike ahead of England ban Retail Sales of Red Bull have spiked ahead of a planned new law in England to ban energy drinks being sold to under 16s. The giant has reported a UK revenue of £668.3m for 2024, up from the £594.1m it achieved in 2023. New accounts filed with Companies House also show that its pre-tax profit rose [...]
Shares in Cola-Cola’s European bottling arms slump despite strong results Retail Coca-Cola’s European arm, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and its bottling partner, Coca-Cola HBC, both slumped on the stock exchange this morning after the former downgraded its revenue guidance. The European business fell more than 11 per cent in early trades on the London Stock Exchange, while the bottling business dropped more than seven per cent. Coca-Cola [...]
Irn-Bru maker buys Hal Robson-Kanu’s drinks business July 10, 2025 The maker of Irn-Bru has acquired The Turmeric Co from its founder, former Wales international Hal Robson-Kanu. AG Barr has taken a majority stake in the London-based business, which was established by the retired football player in 2018, for an undisclosed sum. Robson-Kanu’s company produces turmeric shots which aim to help improve recovery by reusing [...]
What’s behind the post-pandemic tumble in Diageo and Pernod Ricard shares? June 25, 2025 Two of the world’s biggest drinks companies, Diageo and Pernod Ricard, have had a bruising time of it on the stock market in the last two years. Since mid-2023, shares in Pernod Ricard have dropped nearly 60 per cent, while market leader Diageo has seen its share price fall over 40 per cent. A lot [...]
Ghost Ship producer Adnams slashes losses May 29, 2025 Ghost Ship producer Adnams has halved its operating loss amid a commercial turnaround plan, although retail sales continue to suffer. The Suffolk-based company, which makes cask ale, bottled beers and spirits, said that sales increased three per cent to £68.1m in the 12 months ended December 31. Its operating loss shrank by more than half, [...]
Twinings: Profit jumps to almost £100m at tea brand May 28, 2025 Profit at British tea brand Twinings has increased to almost £100m thanks to a “significant growth in the domestic market”. The London-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax profit of £99.1m for the 12 months to 31 August, 2024, up from the £95m it achieved in the prior year. New accounts filed with Companies House also [...]
Yorkshire Tea: Profit more than doubles as sales pass landmark May 23, 2025 Sales at the owner of Yorkshire Tea have passed the £300m mark for the first time in its history as its profit more than doubled during its latest financial year. The Betty’s & Taylors Group, which can trace its roots back to 1886, has reported a turnover of £319.2m for the 12 months to 31 [...]
Guinness maker Diageo to offset US tariffs with cost cuts May 19, 2025 London’s biggest drinks business, Diageo, has unveiled a $500m (£375m) cost-cutting programme as it struggles with the impact of US tariffs. Guinness and Johnnie Walker maker Diageo said it would make the cost savings over the course of three years, but did not confirm how many jobs would be impacted by the move. The firm [...]
Fevertree: £1m pay day for top boss after Molson Coors tie-up April 24, 2025 The chief executive and co-founder of Fevertree has been rewarded with a pay packet of more than £1m after agreeing a “transformational” tie-up with Carling owner Molson Coors. Tim Warrillow, who set up the AIM-listed business with Charles Rolls more than 20 years ago, has taken home almost £1.1m for the company’s latest financial year. The [...]