Merseyside Vimto maker Nichols sees sales fizz in the first three months of 2026 as it predicts annual revenues will exceed £183m. Tony McDonough reports
Vimto maker Nichols has made an “encouraging start” to 2026 with sales for the first three months of the year up 4.3% to £41m.
In March LBN revealed that Newton-le-Willows-based Nichols had made strong progress in both UK and international markets in 2025 with revenues and pre-tax profits both rising.
Revenues for the 12 months to December 31, 2025, were up 1.3% to £175.1m. Pre-tax profits surged 21.5% to £29.2m (adjusted pre-tax profit, excluding exceptional items, was up 7% to £33.6m).
Now with the sales fizzing for the first quarter of 2026 Nichols has told the stock exchange that it currently expects revenues for the 12 months to December 31, 2026 to come in at £183.1m with pre-tax profits expected to hit £35.3m.
In the first three months of 2026 UK Packaged revenues (sales to retailers) increased by 3.8% to £22.1m. International packaged revenues increased by 11.1% to £10m with growth driven almost entirely by West Africa.
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.
Out of home revenues (sales to hospitality outlets) decreased by 3.3% to £8.7m in line with expectations, driven entirely by the planned exit of the lower-margin Starslush business and a strategic focus on profitability.
The Group retains a very strong balance sheet with net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period of £59.8m (December 31, 2025: £55.7m).
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Chief executive Andrew Milne said: “We are pleased to have delivered a strong start to the year, with continued revenue growth and further strategic progress in Q1.
“While the Middle East conflict has had a limited impact on performance to date, we are taking proactive steps to manage potential disruption, with contingency plans in place to mitigate any associated commodity cost inflation.
“Our distribution routes do not have direct exposure to the most affected shipping corridors in the region.”