Sales of carbonates and still soft drinks are in growth, having increased 5.2% and 1.4% respectively, according to latest figures from soft drinks firm Britvic.

The company said it expected the GB soft drinks market to remain “relatively resilient” but the Irish market was “particularly challenging”, following steady growth in its GB and international markets and a contrasting fall in sales in Ireland.

Britvic’s interim statement reported a total revenue increase of 2.1%, to £218.6m, for the 12 weeks to 21 December 2008, compared to the same period last year. Britvic Ireland saw a fall in revenue of 2.9% for the three months to 31 December compared to the same 07/08 period.

The company said it is continuing to experience “volume and value share gains”, driven largely by the success of its core brands, such as Pepsi and 7Up.