LONDON (Brand Republic) – The success of a new 7-Up ad in the US boosted half-year profits 15% at Cadbury Schweppes’ drinks division.
Cadbury’s slimmed-down drinks business -- which now comprises 7-Up and Dr Pepper, after the company sold its Canada Dry and other drinks brands in 160 countries to Coca-Cola last year -- had performed well enough to boost profits across all its operations from £267m to £308m.
John Brock, Cadbury Schweppes chief operating officer, announced total sales of £1.9bn, growing from last year’s figure of £1.8bn
Brock said Cadbury was seeking other acquisitions in confectionery and soft drinks -– one of which could be Pernod Ricard’s Orangina brand -- but refused to comment further.
He added that discussions with Coca-Cola to buy the rest of its soft drinks brands in Canada and Mexico had been abandoned due to regulatory requirements.
Although confectionery sales were sluggish in the UK, Brock said the restructuring of Trebor Bassett would soon show results. Emerging markets rocketed ahead, with volumes in China up 77%, and 49% in Russia.