Beauty water brand Sip has defied the credit crunch and recorded a sales turnover of £500,000 – smashing last year’s figure of £40,000.

The brand, which launched in May 2007, claims the whopping sales growth is down to its popularity with young female consumers attracted to its “unapologetically girly” packaging and promises to improve skintone.
Following a high-profile sponsorship of London Fashion Week in September, the brand won national listings in Tesco, Sainsbury's and Boots. The company now has plans for European expansion, sales director Kate Cazenove told The Grocer.

“We want to build on our already successful launch into the French market earlier this year, as well as gain distribution in Ireland,” she said. “And we believe a nationwide listing in Spain is also near completion.”

Whereas most functional bottled waters were appealing only to men, Sip was finding success by aligning itself with women through the fashion and beauty industry, Cazenove added.

“We’re not claiming it’s cloud juice from vapour that’s never touched the ground ,” said Cazenove. “We also can’t promise it will make you look like Kate Moss. It is ultimately a water packaged in a gorgeous looking bottle that tastes nice. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than Botox.”