Heineken said it increased its share of the UK beer and cider market to 29% in the third quarter.

The brewer’s UK arm continued to reduce costs after integrating its Heineken, Tiger and Amstel brands into the old Scottish & Newcastle business – which includes the Foster’s, Strongbow and Bulmers brands.

Although Heineken did not give standalone figures for its UK business, analysts estimated that volumes of Heineken had risen by up to 4%, with Strongbow and Bulmers ciders up by at least 10%.

The group raised its full-year profit forecast despite reporting a 0.4% decline in comparable operating profits in the quarter to £3.67bn.

Heineken said group wide profits grew “in the mid-teens” thanks to strong pricing, improved sales mix, and aggressive cost cutting, offsetting lower volume due to the global recession.

Heineken lifted its full-year growth estimate from “at least high single digits” to “low double-digit”.

S&N to be renamed Heineken UK (29/9/09)
Heineken sales dry up as beer volumes fall (22/4/09)

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