Debenhams – we plan 50 more food and drink partnerships in the next three years: Debenhams has set out plans to expand it food and drink partnerships over the next three years. It stated: “We currently have almost 70 third party managed food and drink offers in our stores including new partners The Real Greek and Nandos. We plan at least a further 50 with partners over the next three years, but we are also testing a new own-brand format, Loaf & Bloom, which will have a health and wellbeing focus. We have also appointed a new trading director for Restaurants, David Murdin, formerly of Whitbread. We are today announcing a partnership with Sweat!, opening an initial three gyms in surplus space in regional stores in Spring 2018. We believe that alongside a sports offer and a fresh and healthy-focused café this format could become a wellbeing destination in its own right.” Sergio Bucher, chief executive, said: “We are making good progress with implementing our new strategy, Debenhams Redesigned, and are encouraged by the results from our initial trials, as well as the number of exciting new partners who want to work with us. There is a lot to do but I am delighted with the enthusiasm and flair shown by my colleagues as we embark on this journey. I’d like to thank the whole team for delivering these results against a background of rapid change in the business. The environment remains uncertain and we face tough comparatives over the key Christmas weeks. However, we are well prepared for peak trading and the early signs from our activity to date confirm that we are moving in the right direction towards a successful and profitable future for Debenhams.” Like-for-like sales grew 2.1% with UK like-for-like at 0.0%, reflecting growth in Destination categories; strong digital momentum; and a weaker H2 trading environment in the 52 weeks to 2 September. Underlying profit before tax of £95.2m was in line with market expectations.

C&C Group reports ‘unpredicatable trading’ patterns in First Half: Drinks producer C&C Group has reported net revenue down 4% to 271.3m euros in the six months ended 31 August 2017, on a constant currency basis, amid unpredictable train patterns. Operating profits are broadly unchanged at 50.5m euros. It reported a strong performance in its Tennent’s businesses with volumes up 0.4% and revenues up +5%. Wholesale is growing volumes and revenues. Total GB cider volumes flat, including first year contribution from acquired craft cider brand – Orchard Pig. Transition of Magners and other cider brands to new AB InBev distribution arrangements is on track with momentum building. Stephen Glancey, C&C Group chief executive, said: “During the first six months, we have continued to drive performance in Scotland, invest behind the strength of our core brands in Ireland and evolve our model in GB through our agreement with AB InBev and our planned investment in Admiral Taverns. Our continuous focus on cost, efficiency initiatives and effective working capital management have also delivered an improved operating margin and strong cash generation. Trading patterns over the first half have been rather less predictable than we would normally anticipate. Currency and the revised commercial terms of our AB InBev arrangements have negatively impacted reported revenues and profits in the short-term. However, much of our underlying performance has been resilient. In the UK Tennent’s is one of the few standard lagers in growth outperforming in the critical independent free trade and also the grocery channel. This is supported by a new multi media campaign “Here to Serve” which has won industry recognition for the excellence of its social media performance. The Tennent’s business has momentum in customer recruitment and the multi beverage wholesale and internet platform are both proving to be highly attractive to customers. Our super premium portfolio is gaining real traction, with the Italian beer Menabrea growing at 62% and Heverlee, our Belgian beer, at 32%. Total revenue in this area, including our recently acquired craft cider brand Orchard Pig, is €7.8 million and growing organically at 27% annually. In Ireland we have up-weighted investment in the Bulmers brand as “100% Irish” and rebranded our packaging. The campaign, together with our new product Outcider, has resonated with the targeted millennial consumer. We are growing volume and share in the grocery channel, offset by further reductions in draught distribution under competitive pressure. Rate of sale and pricing on the Bulmers brand both remain resilient. The first six months of our new distribution arrangement in the UK with AB InBev have gone smoothly with minimal customer disruption. We are gaining new distribution for Magners and brands like K Cider particularly in the convenience channel. Indeed, with the reformulation of K Cider we have seen MAT growth of +23% in the first half. In the longer term, we believe that the route to market capability of AB InBev will provide a strong platform for growth. Despite enhanced brand activity, operating margins improved by 40bps reflecting strong cost control and improved business mix. We are investing in a new IT system for Ireland with a planned go live in Q1 2018. This will further enhance our operational efficiencies. We are adopting a supportive approach to planned legislative changes in Ireland and Scotland on minimum pricing and the tightening of advertising restrictions. Particularly on the latter, however, it is important that any intervention is both proportionate and maintains a level playing field for small companies like C&C competing against International giants. On capital allocation, our cash generation and balance sheet remain robust allowing us to fund continued investment in our brands and supplement shareholder returns through a progressive dividend. Volatile market conditions remain across the industry. However, we are pleased our GB businesses have made a solid start to the second half of the financial year. In Ireland, where the cider category remains highly competitive, trading has been marginally slower than expected. Looking further ahead we are increasingly confident that our brands, market positions, operational investments and now enhanced route-to-market infrastructure in GB will return the business to growth and deliver enhanced shareholder value over the medium term.”