COCA-COLA HBC A.G.

2015 FIRST QUARTER TRADING UPDATE - TRADING IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS

2015 FIRST QUARTER TRADING UPDATE

 

TRADING IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS

 

Coca-Cola HBC AG, the second largest bottler of the brands of The Coca-Cola Company, today announces its 2015 Q1 trading update.

 

First quarter highlights

  • Volumes increased in the quarter in all three segments compared to the prior-year quarter supported largely by four additional selling days and Easter phasing, with good performances in Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic
  • Established market volumes declined on a like-for-like basis at a slower pace than in the prior-year quarter; revenue was boosted by strong currencies despite the deflationary pricing environment
  • In Developing markets, robust volume growth in Sparkling beverages and in the organised trade drove revenue growth despite negative pricing and mix
  • In Emerging markets, a good volume performance was more than offset by adverse currency movements; the business in Nigeria performed very well across all categories in a seasonally important quarter, while Russia saw strong growth in Juice, which was offset by a decline in Sparkling
  • FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case remained stable compared to the prior-year quarter; we focused our pricing initiatives on those Emerging markets most impacted by currency headwinds, while in Established and Developing markets, affordability was an important consideration for the business in a deflationary environment

 

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014 growth

Volume (%)

Net sales revenue (%)

Net sales revenue per unit case (%)

FX-neutral net sales revenue per unit case (%)

Total Group

7.2

1.7

-5.2

-

Established markets

3.4

5.1

1.7

-1.9

Developing markets

13.7

11.4

-2.0

-2.7

Emerging markets

7.4

-4.6

-11.1

4.1

 

Dimitris Lois, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC AG, commented:

“Trading was in line with expectations, delivering a solid quarter. The plans we put in place to stabilise volumes in Europe, and the pricing initiatives we implemented to mitigate the adverse impact of currencies in certain emerging markets have been effective.

“While there is still some uncertainty ahead, the initiatives we can deploy to mitigate the potential headwinds have been successful and we are encouraged by the results the business has delivered in the quarter.”

 

2015 FIRST QUARTER TRADING UPDATE - TRADING IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS