London Pride brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner has reported improved demand for its beer over the last four months.
Fuller’s said today (28 January) that own-brewed beer sales by volume increased by 1% for the 17 weeks to 22 January. The performance shows that demand for Fuller’s beers has improved, although volumes still fell by 1% for the first 43 weeks of the group’s fiscal year.
 Both Fuller’s and rival brewer Marston’s, which reported a strong rise in bottled beer sales today, have outperformed a lacklustre UK beer market.
Fuller’s said that like-for-like profits at its tenanted pub division were flat against the previous year for the 43 weeks to 22 January. It said that the company should meet its full-year profits expectations.
However, the brewer warned of rising costs over 2011 and 2012. “We are concerned that in these uncertain times our customers may have less discretionary spend,” it added.