Drinks and snacks group C&C reported annual operating profit of €115.1 million today but said bar sales of its cider and spirits brands had been hit by the smoking ban.
The maker of Bulmers cider and King crisps said turnover rose by 4.2 per cent to €750 million as sales in off licences offset the decline in bar sales.
C&C believes that the ban was behind the 7 per cent decline in sales of beer and cider in pubs and 11 per cent growth in the off-trade long drinks market in the 12 months to February 28th, 2005. The overall long drinks market declined by 1 per cent in the period.
Sales of C&C's principal cider brand, Bulmers, matched last year and continued to increase its share of the overall beer and cider market.
Bulmers' share in the long drinks market increased from 9 per cent to 9.6 per cent in the period, and its share of the off-trade long drinks market increased from 6.2 per cent to 6.6 per cent.
The spirit market declined by 3.4 per cent in the Republic in the year. However, the wine market in the Republic grew by 9 per cent in the year.
The soft drinks market declined by 2.2 per cent in the year reflecting, in part, last year's damp summer and an ongoing decline in sales of carbonated fizzy drinks. Bottled water, sport and energy drinks and cordials continue to show growth
C&C will pay a final dividend of 7.5 cent per share, bringing the group's full year dividend to 13 cent per share.