Companynews // 09/30/2013

Gerolsteiner Brunnen records sales growth

Gerolsteiner Brunnen is also on a course for growth in the first seven months of 2013. The company increased its total net product sales to 133.4 million and achieved an increase of 7.2 percent over the previous year. The mineral water company is also able to report positive numbers in overall sales: these rose by 4.1 percent to 3.8 million hectolitres.  

 

The successful business development is reflected in its market share in the premium price segment from 0.40 per litre upwards. With an 18.5 per cent market share in the sparkling mineral water segment Gerolsteiner has successfully maintained its position as the leading premium brand in Germany (Nielsen, as of July 2013). The tendency of consumers again asking for high quality brand water has continued in 2013 and will benefit Gerolsteiner.

"Despite the cool weather over long stretches in the spring the business development in the first seven months is satisfactory" says Axel Dahm, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG. "Although mineral water has been for a long time a product for the complete year we have definitely benefitted from the period of fine weather starting in July". The period lasting several weeks with temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius had a positive effect on mineral water sales, and also on the soft drinks business (+1.4%) and the catering sector (+3.5%), according to Dahm.

 

High demand for soft drinks

 

Lemonade drinks, which have been on the market since February 2012, have been actively in demand by consumers since their launch and have established themselves in the marketplace in 2013. Also the Gerolsteiner Linée near water range is finding a high degree of acceptance with customers.

 

"Our soft drinks based upon mineral water are having a clear impact upon our overall success", Axel Dahm says. "Consumers appreciate the diversity of taste and the practical forms of packaging". The mineral water company is well positioned with varieties such as guava & rhubarb, where exotic and local fruits are combined.  

 

The company is registering the highest growth rates for its 0.75 litre non-returnable bottles (+47.6%). ?We offer our entire product portfolio in the individual 0.75 litre bottle and can accordingly serve all distribution channels," according to Dahm. But even where glass containers are concerned, Gerolsteiner could report an upward trend in the first seven months.  The driving force is still the 1 litre classic bottle (+32.7%), the individual refillable glass container of Gerolsteiner, which is experiencing growth especially due to the Gerolsteiner Naturell non-carbonated mineral water types.

 

International business further expanded

 

International business has also developed positively in the current financial year. The leading export brand among German mineral waters and the number 1 among carbonated mineral waters globally has recorded a significant sales increase of 6.6 percent compared to last year. The drivers of growth here are still Japan and the USA.