Irn-Bru maker reports sales rise - graduate jobs

Marketing graduates might want to consider a career in the increasingly competitive soft drinks industry where a robust sales strategy and strong advertising campaign can make all the difference, as demonstrated by Irn-Bru makers AG Barr.

The soft drinks group made excellent progress in Scotland and the north of England during its most recent quarter to January 30. The company capitalised on the drink's strong brand identity in the north by targeting more of its resources in the area.

Overall sales for the Cumbernauld-based company were up 5% on the same period last year. However, this did represent a slowdown in growth as it was down on the 6.4% rise it enjoyed in the previous quarter.

The firm, which also makes St Clements, Tizer and Rubicon fruit drinks, said the snowy conditions that blighted the UK throughout December will have had a negative impact on the figures.

But the drinks maker remained confident that it would meet its profit margin targets and said that it still expects like-for-like sales to rise by about 10% in the financial year.