USA, OR: Craft Brew Alliance says net sales increased 2%, shipments fell 1% last year

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) has announced preliminary 2015 earnings results, highlighting a net sales increase of just 2 percent over the year prior. Total shipments declined 1 percent in 2015, the company said.

Net sales grew 4 percent in the fourth quarter, up $1.8 million, according to a statement. Total depletions, meanwhile, declined about 1 percent despite gains from a Kona line that was up 27 percent in the quarter.

Year-to-date gains for the Kona, Omission and Square Mile Cider lines were offset by declines from the Wimder, Redhook and Resignation brands, contributing to an overall flat depletion performance, the company said.

Nevertheless, the company managed to grow gross margins by 110 basis points on the year, to 30.5 percent.

“Our preliminary results for 2015 reflect strong momentum in the second half of the year, underscoring continued forward progress despite an increasingly competitive and fast-changing market,” CEO Andy Thomas said via a press release. “Our ability to remain focused and deliver increased gross profit, robust gross margin expansion, and a sixth consecutive year of double-digit growth for Kona are nothing short of remarkable in today’s challenging climate.”

05 February, 2016