Results round-up

The AIM-listed fresh meat and takeaway food retailer released the update, covering the 15 week period from its last update to the market on 29 September last year, to 3 January.

It said total group sales were up 64% over the period compared with the same time a year earlier, and were up 54% in the year to date.

Like-for-like sales for the same period were up 0.8% over the prior year, and up 1.7% in the year to date.

Crawshaw said the sales growth had been converted well, with cash gross margins increasing by 65% in the 15-week period and 55% in the year to date.

"Our growth plan is progressing very well and is on track with an increase of 17 stores for the current financial year, taking our portfolio to 39 stores", said Crawshaw chief executive officer Noel Collett.

"We are also pleased with the positive like-for-like performance in our mature stores, particularly given the disruption and challenging high street footfall patterns caused by the prolonged adverse weather conditions in the North of England", he added.

In a statement, Crawshaw's board said it anticipated the full year results for the period ending 31 January would be in line with market expectations.

Nichols said trading for the year ended 31 December was in line with the previous year and management’s expectations.

The soft drinks maker said group revenue for the year came in at £109.3m and while the UK market has remained challenging, its international sales grew 1.5% compared to 2014 and 3.9% at constant currency.

Reported export sales totalled £24.4m, which was up £0.4m from the previous year despite difficulties in shipping to Yemen due to the conflict there.

UK sales came to £84.9m, down 0.3% from 2014 but slightly ahead of the total UK soft drinks market performance which fell 0.7% according to Nielsen data.

Nichols said it maintained its value over volume strategy within the UK for the Vimto brand, leading to 4% growth in the Still category and a 7% drop in the promotionally-led Carbonate category.

“Group 2015 sales performance is per our expectations and whilst the UK market remains challenging, our international business has continued to deliver good growth.

“We expect full year profit and earnings per share to be ahead of the prior year and in line with market expectations.”