A drink loved my Scousers is also very popular around the world.
Vimto was originally founded in Manchester but is now based in Merseyside - on the edge of Newton-le-Willows. The fruity soft drink is a Northern staple.
It also inspired a purple-themed wedding back in 2014, which included toasting with Vimto instead of champagne and guests asked to wear purple like the colour of the drink, as well as being featured on ITV reality show Love Island back in 2018.
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However, Vimto is not just a Northern staple, but also loved around the world. The purple drink is household name in the Middle East and across Africa and during Ramadan, Vimto is a favourite for many families in the Middle East at the Iftar evening meal that follows a day of fasting during Ramadan.
Back in 2018, the ECHO reported how Marnie Millard, the former chief executive of Vimto owner Nichols plc, had a world map on the wall of her office showing all the countries where Vimto is sold. She said: “That shows we're trying to turn the world purple."
Marnie said about 35m bottles of Vimto cordial are sold during Ramadan. She added: “It is the beverage of choice for the Iftar table. One the fasting is broken then usually on the table you'll find Vimto already made up.
“It does have a really interesting ritual in how it's made up the night before and stored in the fridge so it ends up with this crystallised ice on the top. That really breaks the fast. People haven't been eating so in terms of the energy-giving properties it has, it's quite important.”
Vimto in the Middle East is made in Saudi Arabia by Nichols' partner company, Aujan Group. Vimto is also hugely popular in West Africa in cans and bottles.
Marnie also said: “In Africa it’s all about fizzy and it's all about refreshment. If you looked at the advertising campaign - the Middle East is a very high-end campaign, almost reminds me of a Häagen-Dazs type advert here, whereas the African advertising is a little bit more fun and lighthearted.”
In July, revenue and profits jumped for Nichols plc and posted a revenue of £80.2m for the six months to the end of June 2022 compared to the £67.3m it posted during the same period in 2021, reported Business Live. The listed company's pre-tax profits also increased from £8.6m to £10m over the same time.
UK revenue rose by 29.3% to £62.6m while the out of home segment "continues to recover from the pandemic" with sales surging by 131.9%. However, international sales dipped by 7.2% to £17.6m.
The company's brands also include Feel Good, Starslush, ICEE, Levi Roots and Sunkist. Non-executive chairman John Nichols said: "I'm pleased to report an encouraging financial performance in the first half of the year with 27% increases to both adjusted PBT and the half year dividend.
"In the UK, the Vimto brand continues to outperform the broader squash market, and the group's out of home route to market experienced good growth as the wider leisure sector continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
"After some disruption to shipments affecting our International business in Q1, I am pleased to report a recovery in Q2 which has so far continued into the second half of the year.
"Whilst the group is not immune to the significant and accelerating inflationary pressures impacting the consumer and the soft drinks market, we have taken swift mitigating actions where possible and the group's adjusted PBT expectations for the full year remain unchanged.
"The board remains mindful of the potential earnings impact of continued inflation into FY23 and beyond. We have a long-term track record of growth, a proven, diversified strategy, and a quality range of brands.
"All of this is underpinned by a strong balance sheet. As a result, the board remains confident that the group is well positioned to deliver its long-term growth plans."
On its outlook, the company added: "Whilst the group is not immune to the significant and accelerating inflationary pressures impacting the consumer and the soft drinks market, we have taken swift mitigating actions where possible and the group's adjusted PBT expectations for the full year remain unchanged.
"The board remains mindful of the potential earnings impact of continued inflation into FY23 and beyond. We have a long-term track record of growth, a proven, diversified strategy, and a quality range of brands.
"All of this is underpinned by a strong balance sheet. As a result, the board remains confident that the group is well positioned to deliver its long-term growth plans."
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