In Brief: Heatwave boom for drinks firms

Heatwave boom for drinks firms

The heatwave has sent sales of soft drinks and ice cream soaring with several drinks groups also announcing increased production. Coca-Cola said sales last week were 30 per cent higher than last year. Bass has increased production of Hoopers Hooch, its new alcoholic lemonade, while Birds Eye Walls says ice-cream sales are substantially higher than last year. Pub groups such as Whitbread said beer sales were doing well. Shares in the drinks groups Cadbury-Schweppes and AG Barr rose yesterday on the back of strong sales figures.