C&C Group will be hoping for better summer weather to boost profits for the forthcoming year.

Irish drinks company C&C Group plc, has announced a decline in profits of 11% to €514.4 million (£459.5m) for the year ending 28 February 2009.

C&C, whose brands include cider favourites Magners and Bulmers, blamed a number of factors including the economic downturn, poor summer weather and the resulting cumulative impact of both these factors on consumer recruitment.

The company has seen a decline in revenue for its Bulmers brand in Ireland of 14.1% and 18.7% for Magners in Great Britain, although considering the decline in the LAD (long alcoholic drinks) market, the cider category is seeing some growth in the latter. However, for the rest of the world Magners revenue has increased by 0.9%, and export volumes to the rest of the world continue to grow.

John Dunsmore, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are in the process of aligning C&C’s operating cost base with an exceptionally challenging environment.

“Increased operating efficiency, reduced capital spend and more effective marketing investment will contribute to our financial performance in the financial year 2010 and to the development of an agile business, which is increasingly responsive to the market.”

For the forthcoming 2010 trading year, early results are looking more optimistic. In Ireland the group has enjoyed some respite from the deteriorating economic conditions with a combination of factors having a positive effect – the timing of the Easter holidays, St Patrick’s Day, better than normal weather and a successful few months for Irish rugby. This has all helped to contribute to Bulmers volumes being 10% ahead of the same period last year.

C&C are also hoping to bolster results for 2010 following the launch of Bulmers and Magners Pear. Both additions are being supported by separate TV advertising campaigns in both Ireland and Great Britain, which launched on 1 May 2009.