Drinks company Boost has revealed details of a record year in Northern Ireland with an increase in sales of almost 6% in 2019.
Boost, the number one selling soft drink in the local convenience sector*, maintained its market-leading position with an incredible 1.74 million cases sold across the entire product range during the year.
One key area of growth has been the continued popularity of Boost Energy Red Berry (250ml) which experienced an increase in sales of more than 8% in 2019.
Such is the demand for Red Berry that last year saw a larger 500ml bottle format launched exclusively in Northern Ireland – a very successful addition to the company’s brand portfolio with sales of 130,601 cases since its launch in March. This was good news for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, Boost’s 2019 charity partner, as a percentage of bottle sales was donated to them and a total of £25,605 was raised through a variety of events and initiatives such as the Three Peaks Challenge.
Other sales drivers during the year included Boost Sport, the biggest selling sports drink in NI which enjoyed a year on year increase of 7% compared to 2018, and the introduction in NI only of new Boost Energy Cola which was launched in September.
“2019 was an outstanding year for Boost and we continue to be amazed at the fantastic response we receive from consumers here in Northern Ireland,” said Boost Marketing Director Adrian Hipkiss.
“NI is such an important market for us as we continue our ‘We Love Local’ ethos, building strong relationships with the independent sector and supporting and championing the retailers who have helped make Boost a success over the years.
“Now the challenge is to build on our success in 2020 and we have lots of exciting trade and consumer projects and initiatives planned to make this happen, so watch this space!” added Adrian.
Managing Director of Hardy Sales & Marketing NI, Gareth Hardy said: “We’ve been the distributors of Boost since the brand first entered the NI market and to see the products grow so successfully year on year has been incredibly exciting.
“The feedback I receive from retailers and consumers is always extremely positive so it’s no surprise to see demand for Boost drinks increase,” added Gareth.
Boost Energy was established in 2001 after founder and MD Simon Gray saw the opportunity to offer consumers a great quality energy drink at a fraction of the price of other brands at that time.
Two years later in 2003, Boost Energy was launched in Northern Ireland and now the company owns the top two selling soft drinks within the independent convenience sector which covers more than 1,100 independent retail stores, excluding the large multinational supermarket chains. Boost is available in various pack formats across seven core Energy flavours, as well as limited editions and Sports and Protein drinks.
* Source: IRI Marketplace Data Symbols and Independents 52 weeks unit sales to 1st December 2019
