Trading Statement
January 13 2004 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:1468U
SABMiller PLC
13 January 2004
SABMiller plc Trading Update
London and Johannesburg, 13 January 2004. SABMiller plc today issued the
following trading update for the group's third quarter, which includes the peak
South African December period, and for its financial year to date comprising
the nine months ended 31 December 2003.
Volumes for the third quarter were strong across most operations. Beer South
Africa grew by almost 3% on a comparable basis, in line with year to date, and
ABI achieved a volume growth of over 10%, with the year to date at around 8%.
Sales in South Africa were assisted by generally good weather and higher
consumer spending.
Miller's domestic sales to retailers (STRs) for the quarter were1% below prior
year, with the growth in Miller Lite largely offsetting weaknesses elsewhere.
Domestic shipments to wholesalers (STWs) were in line with STRs. On a pro forma
basis, year to date domestic STRs were 3.4% lower than prior year whilst total
domestic STWs, as with the quarter, were in line with STRs.
Beer volumes for the quarter, and year to date, have grown by 3% across the
Central American operations, whilst carbonated soft drink (CSD) volumes were
down 4%, against 6% year to date. Work continues on improving the CSD brand
portfolio and on stimulating growth in beer consumption.
In Europe, organic lager volume growth for the third quarter was 7%, and 8% for
the year to date. The integration of the Peroni acquisition is proceeding
according to plan.
The Africa and Asia business delivered a 3% increase in organic lager volume
over the third quarter of the prior year, in line with year to date.
These results accord with our expectations as outlined at the time of our
interim announcement.
Ends
Notes to Editors
SABMiller plc is one of the world's largest brewers, with 2002/03 lager volumes
in excess of 115 million hectolitres. It has a brewing presence in over 40
countries across four continents and a portfolio of strong brands and leading
market shares in many of the countries in which it has brewing operations.
Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola
products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, the group generated US$770 million pre-tax
profit from a turnover of US$9,112 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the
London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the company website. www.sabmiller.com
Contacts:
Sue Clark
Director of Corporate Affairs Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7659 0184
SABMiller plc Mob: + 44 (0) 7850 285471
Anna Miller Salzman
Head of Investor Relations Tel: +44 (0) 20 7659 0106
SABMiller plc Mob: +44 (0) 7973 837070
Gary Leibowitz
VP of Investor Relations (USA) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7659 0119
SABMiller plc Mob: +44 (0) 7717 428540
Nigel Fairbrass
Head of Corporate Communications (Finance) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7659 0105
SABMiller plc Mob: +44 (0) 7799 894265
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
TSTBTMTTMMTBTPI