Irn-Bru defies wet weather

Irn-Bru manufacturer AG Barr has defied the wet April weather with an increase in sales.

The firm, based in Cumbernauld, said revenue rose 4.3 per cent between February and May which it described as a robust figure as poor weather hit high street footfall.

The group, whose brands also include Rubicon fruit juices and Strathmore water, said it expected costs to continue to go up but that a strategy was in place to make sure profit margins were not hit too hard.

Plans to create a production and warehousing facility in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, are also making “good progress”, according to its interim management statement.

It read: “We have started the new financial year with all of our core brands performing well in difficult market conditions.

“During the course of the period the unseasonal weather for the time of year has impacted the market and a period of more normal conditions will now be required to bring the market back into growth.

“Despite the challenges of current market conditions and continued low consumer confidence, the business is performing in line with our expectations”.