Aussie supermarkets to stock Charlie's drinks

Charlie's chief executive Stefan Lepionka Photo / Greg Bowker

Charlie's Group's drinks will be stocked by 750 Coles supermarkets in Australia from next month in a multi-million dollar deal expected to double the company's Australian business.

Charlie's Australian subsidiary contributed over 50 per cent of the company's annual pre-tax earnings last year of $3.4 million, a turnaround from a $900,000 loss the previous year.

Having launched its products in Australia two years ago, Charlie's Australia grew 39 per cent last financial year and had sales of $7m.

Coles will stock eight of Charlie's 11 brands following a trial in 37 stores.

The Australian juice market was very well developed, and the sales team had spent a year working on the deal, Charlie's chief executive Stefan Lepionka said.

"Our 'not from concentrate' positioning has proven its value," Lepionka said.

"We now have a very big foot in the Aussie market door because we use the best ingredients and have innovative, honest and fun packaging."

Shares in the company, which asked for a trading halt until the announcement this afternoon, were up 1.2c at a 16-month high of 12.2c.

- NZPA