Fever-Tree reports higher sales of mixers to at-home customers

Fever-Tree on Thursday said it has seen a spike in UK sales of mixers to at-home customers during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The upmarket tonic water maker said in the UK the performance in its off-trade arm, which supplies supermarkets and shops, has been strong. Sales in the first full month of lockdown were up 24% year-on-year.

Fever-Tree added: “We have seen continued positive momentum since, reflecting increased at home consumption during the period.”

However, the company said the on-trade business, which sells goods to pubs and restaurants, typically represents 50% of UK revenue. That division has been hurt since the government ordered the hospitality industry to close sites in March.

Fever-Tree warned: “Given the uncertainty and dynamic nature of the situation, it continues to be hard to predict how sales will evolve both during and as we emerge from the lockdown period."

The firm added: “The easing of restrictions and the pace at which the on-trade reopens will vary between regions, but it is becoming increasingly likely that this process will be gradual and cautious, with social distancing measures remaining in place for some time."

Fever-Tree, which was founded in 2004, has benefited from a jump in the amount of customers seeking more premium mixers for gins and whiskies in recent years.