C&C Group acquires Asahi UK wholesale businesses for nominal consideration

Food & drink C&C Group PLC CCR View profile › C&C Group acquires Asahi UK wholesale businesses for nominal consideration Ephrem Joseph Published 2d Share X in f @ C&C Group PLC (LSE: CCR) has agreed to acquire Asahi UK’s wholesale businesses for nominal consideration, expanding its Matthew Clark Bibendum operation and adding a significant new customer base. The deal covers Nectar Imports and Asahi UK’s direct distribution operations, which will be fully integrated into Matthew Clark Bibendum following completion, expected in early October. C&C will assume customer and supplier relationships, intellectual property, a leased depot, vehicles and stock, while Matthew Clark Bibendum will also enter a long-term partnership associated with Asahi’s UK brands. The transaction also includes the transfer of supply arrangements for the Fuller, Smith & Turner pub estate. Chief executive Roger White commented: “This move represents an attractive opportunity to provide a significant number of new customers with MCB market leading service and range proposition whilst simultaneously delivering immediate scale and efficiency into the Group’s operations.” C&C expects most customer and supplier transfers to be completed in the coming weeks, with the acquisition forecast to make a small positive contribution to Matthew Clark Bibendum’s performance in the year to February 2027. Separately, C&C reported trading in line with expectations for the six months to August 31. Group net revenue was 3% lower year-on-year, with branded revenue up 2% and distribution revenue down 4%. Growth in Tennent’s, Bulmers and Innis & Gunn helped support the branded business, while distribution revenue was affected by the planned exit of lower-margin contracts and continued pressure from falling outlet numbers. Underlying operating profit for the first half is expected to be between €43 million and €44 million.