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AG Barr has agreed to buy fruit juice brand Frobishers and fizzy drinks brand Fentimans for £51mn as the Irn-Bru maker looks to capitalise on the growth of “adult soft drinks” amid falling alcohol sales.
The company, which also produces brands such as Rubicon and Boost, agreed to acquire Fentimans for £38mn and Frobishers for £13mn.
“Both brands operate in the attractive adult soft drinks market, which is benefiting from the consumer trend of reduced alcohol consumption,” the company said on Tuesday.
Drinking rates in the UK fell to a record low in 2025 as health conscious and cash-strapped consumers cut back their alcohol consumption.
Soft drinks and no- and low-alcohol alternatives have outperformed alcoholic drinks, forcing brewers and distillers to diversify their portfolios. Danish brewer Carlsberg has reduced its reliance on beer through its acquisition of UK soft-drink maker Britvic.
On Tuesday, AG Barr reported a 4 per cent rise in full-year revenue to £437mn. The company’s profit margin rose to 14.7 per cent, up from 13.6 per cent the year before, thanks to “ongoing efficiency initiatives” and investment in its supply chain.
The company said it would integrate its two new brands by the end of next year and that efficiencies would come through in the second half of next year.
