Britvic saw sales drop as the snowy weather kept people away from pubs and its competitors increased the number of discounted special offers. The Chelmsford-based group, whose UK brands include Robinsons, Tango and Fruit Shoot, said the amount of still drink it sold was down 3.5 per cent in the final quarter of 2010 as pressures in the challenged pub sector were exacerbated by the weather conditions - Daily Mail
Diageo, the global drinks group, has forked over £33m for a stake in a local vodka maker as it seeks to tap into the growing fondness for higher quality but affordable Vietnamese brands.Diageo has agreed to pay around £33m for a 23.6 per cent stake in the Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (Halico), Vietnam's leading spirits-maker - Financial Times
Mitchells & Butlers, owner of big brand restaurants and pubs including Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One, will have 600 jobs up for grabs over the next two years. It already employs more than 35,000 people in 1,600 businesses, spread across more than a dozen household name brands. The firm says there are great opportunities and potential for career progression for anyone wanting to share their passion for food, service and people - Daily Mirror
Heineken plans to take Strongbow cider global. The company is currently increasing investment and resource allocation into its Heineken beer brand. Analysts say this is to guard the brewer against any potential weakening of the market due to the austerity measures that are hitting Western Europe. Heineken acquired the cider brand when it bought Scottish & Newcastle in 2008 - The Telegraph