Merseyside Vimto maker Nichols reports 4.7% rise in sales to £89.5m and surging profits in the first half of 2026 as it enters the health and wellness market. Tony McDonough reports
Vimto maker Nichols is reporting a 31.6% surge in pre-tax profits to £15m and a 4.7% rise in sales to £89.5m in the first half of 2026.
Merseyside-based Nichols says the six-month period to June 30 has delivered “continued profitable growth, strong cash generation and enhanced shareholder returns” thanks to its growth strategy.
Nichols, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market, sells Vimto in more than 60 countries around the world. It is also behind the SLUSH PUPPiE Feel Good, ICEE, Levi Roots and Sunkist soft drink brands.
Vimto is particularly popular in the Muslim world during the holy month of Ramadan. It provides a quick boost of sugar-filled energy following the dawn ’til dusk fast. This year it enjoyed a successful Ramadan period with good sales on the new Vimto Rose Cordial.
During the trading period Nichols expanded into the high growth health and wellness drinks sector through the development of Myprotein Protein Water. This product will launch in September.
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Chief executive Andrew Milne said: “We are pleased to have delivered another strong period of strategic and financial progress, with revenue growth accelerating to 4.7% supporting further profit growth and record cash generation.
“Our UK Packaged business continued to deliver distribution gains and innovation-led growth, whilst Vimto in Africa once again delivered an excellent performance driven by growth in can sales and the continued success of our strategy to migrate production closer to the point of consumption.
“We were also pleased to have delivered a successful Ramadan trading period in the Middle East despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
“We also announced the launch of Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water in partnership with THG, extending our innovation pipeline into the growing functional drinks category.”