Sales at Global Brands top £50m

Independent drinks producer and distributor Global Brands has reported a 19.5% increase in total sales, taking turnover to over £50m for the financial year ending 30 September 2018. This follows 16% growth in the previous financial year and a gross profit rise from £11.8m to £14m for FY 2017/18. Global Brands sold around 60 million drinks during the last year, with its brands now available in 58 countries. The company, which was founded in 1997, saw the value of exports grow by 21% year-on-year, pinpointing “strong demand” for its drinks in Belgium, Italy and South Africa. In 2018, Global Brands secured a listing for its Franklin and Sons range in South Africa’s largest retailer, Pick N Pay, which is selling the British company’s premium tonics, mixers and soft drinks in over 1,100 stores. The success of All Shook Up saw Global Brands add a third canned cocktail – fruity flavoured Flamingo Colada - to the original lineup of two flavours; Passionfruit Martini and Espresso Martini. The company also expanded its range of premium tonics, mixers and soft drinks, Franklin and Sons, adding the ‘Flavour Collection’ (four new dual-flavoured tonics) and three Infused Sodas, which saw total sales volumes grow by 101% for the year ending 30 September 2018. Founder and chairman of Global Brands, Steve Perez, said: “The drinks industry is so strangled by needless bureaucracy, it limits original ideas. Our company growth is being driven by an innovative and entrepreneurial team that’s encouraged to do things differently. They’re constantly looking at how they can create new drinks that justify a place on supermarket shelves and in the fridges of bars, late night venues and restaurants around the world. “The team’s innovative thinking is rooted in what consumers want and working with our customers to quickly meet demand. It led to the creation of premium canned cocktail All Shook Up, which is now a top seller in one of the UK’s largest supermarkets.” He added: “‘Drinkstagramming’ and other social media trends mean drinks now need to look as good as they taste. This drives sales. Premium quality tasting drinks, packaged in sleek and stylish cans meant that we exceeded original sales targets for All Shook Up, selling more than two million cans in just 10 months following launch.”