The Coca-Cola Company's half-year net profit to 30 June rose 8% to $2.9bn on operating sales up 2% at $11.7bn.

The beverages giant said that UK sales had improved: “Unit case volume in north west Europe for the second quarter increased in low single digits as performance began to stabilise, particularly in Great Britain.”

The group added that sales had also been buoyed by strong performances in emerging markets such as Brazil, China and Russia.