Convivality's sales double

Drinks specialist Conviviality, the parent company of Matthew Clark and Bibendum, has nearly doubled sales in the past year.

Revenue was up to nearly £1.6b in the 52 weeks to 30 April 2017 as it continued its transformation from a franchised off licence business into one of the UK's biggest drinks wholesalers and distributors.

Sales were boosted by the acquisition on 20 May 2016 of Bibendum. The company said the integration of both Bibendum and Matthew Clark, which it bought for £200m in 2015, were progressing.

Recently, Conviviality announced that it had split itself into three divisions, which comprise:

• Conviviality Direct: what Conviviality says is the UK's largest independent wholesaler to the on-trade serving 23,000 hotels, pubs and restaurants.

• Conviviality Retail: the UK's largest franchised off licence and convenience chain with 358 franchisees and more than 700 retail stores trading primarily under the Bargain Booze, Bargain Booze Select Convenience and Wine Rack brands.

• Conviviality Trading: a full service brand and wine agency.

• Conviviality Direct sales rose by 6.4% over the period, while they were up by 6.1% in Conviviality Retail and 1% in Conviviality Trading.

Diana Hunter, chief executive officer of Conviviality said: "We have come to the end of an unprecedented year of change and I am pleased to report a strong trading performance for the group and for each of its business units. It is encouraging to see our customers and suppliers benefiting from the skills and the expertise of the enlarged group, its scale and reach and its positioning as the UK's leading drinks wholesaler and distributor.

"We have made great progress on the integration of Matthew Clark and the acquisition and integration of Bibendum PLB Group. Our focus will continue to be on improving the business and ensuring that benefits are realised from our greater scale, as we drive efficiencies for the group and greater service for our customers."

Conviviality creates three divisions after Matthew Clark and Bibendum purchases >>

Conviviality Brands buys Matthew Clark for £200m >>

Bibendum launches data tool to identify emerging wine trends >>

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