SABMiller, the global brewer, has reported a 8% fall in UK volumes in Q1, citing the impact of reduced discount levels on Miller Genuine Draft.
The company said “weak consumer sentiment” and “unseasonably cold and wet weather” across Europe that saw revenue and volume across the continent fall 1% and 3% respectively in the quarter to 30 June. However, this was partly offset by an improvement in group revenue per hectolitres. Lager volumes in Europe dipped 7%.
Global revenue and revenue per hectolitre grew 2% with volumes level with last year. Lager volumes on an organic basis declined 1%, with growth in Latin America and Africa offset by Europe and North America.
Chief executive Alan Clark said: “Our first quarter revenue growth was held back by unseasonably cold and wet conditions in many of our northern hemisphere markets, which negatively impacted beer consumption. This was offset by continued growth in our Latin America and Africa divisions.”
