Record year of sales for Westons Cider

Westons Cider has reported its best year yet, driven, it says, by continued strong growth of its premium draught brands, the launch of a mulled cider into the off-trade and increased distribution across all trade channels.

Westons report that their market share is up to an all-time high of 5% and is accelerating ahead of a declining cider market.

In its published accounts to 31 March 2015 the company recorded turnover up by 6% to £58.6m and pre-tax profits to £2m during the financial year. Its profit margin rose to 3.7%, compared with 2.9% in 2013-14.

Geoff Bradman, head of sales at Westons Cider, said: "Naturally, we are really pleased that our strategy of additional investment into both the site and our brands continues to pay dividends for us, especially given the increasingly competitive market.

"While the cider market is currently flat, the traditional premium sector of the market in which we operate is in strong growth, currently growing by 7% year-on-year.

"Our investment into our range has delivered excellent performance across all key brands, with Henry Westons Vintage the leading premium brand in the off-trade, growing by 18% year-on-year."

Westons Cider is now run by the fourth generation of the Weston family, which has been producing traditional English cider in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle since 1880. Westons makes a range of ciders including Stowford Press, Wyld Wood, Henry Westons, Old Rosie and Mortimers Orchard. In February, Westons launched the UK's first craft cider in a can, Caple Rd Cider.

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