Consumers’ thirst for energy and sports drinks has driven a £47m bump to revenues for the owner of Lucozade and Celsius, Suntory Beverages & Food GB&I.
Sales at Suntory climbed 8.5% to £598.4m for the year to 31 December 2025, supported by launches of new products and advertising campaigns.
Strong volume growth on brands such as Lucozade Sport, energy drink brand Celsius and Japanese-inspired alcoholic RTD brand –196 reflected “high consumer demand, successful innovation and effective brand investment,” said the group’s finance director Michael Friel.
Marketing spend grew by £8m to £51m, as Suntory sought to take advantage of the “standout” performance of its energy and sports drinks.
Despite the boost to investment, Suntory maintained its gross margin at 51% and operating profits grew 11.2% to £135.9m.
Friel added that “all” of the brands in Suntory’s portfolio had performed well against expectations, with Celsius and –196 ranking as its fastest-growth brands.
Friel highlighted Lucozade Sport Ice Kick as a standout innovation of 2025. Created in partnership with football star Jude Bellingham, the drink achieved a 51% repeat purchase rate, and generated £24.4m in sales in 2025 after its launch in March that year.
Despite uncertainty over the impact of the coming wave of inflation on the UK economy, rapidly changing consumer behaviour and a highly competitive retail sector, Friel said Suntory had found a resilient balance in its portfolio, which includes staples such as Ribena and Orangina alongside newcomer –196, launched in 2024, and functional brands including Lucozade and Celsius.
“We have a resilient portfolio, strong customer relationships and a long-term strategy which positions us well for the future,” he said.
“It’s important we continue to work closely with our customers to respond to these challenges while investing in our brands, innovation and long-term growth.”
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