Record Gross Sales Up 37% for Half Year

Media Release
23 January 2008

Charlie’s Group Reports Record Gross Sales Up 37% for Half Year

Premium beverage company, Charlie’s Group Limited, today announced a substantial increase in gross sales for the six months to 31 December 2007, lifting sales to $16.85 million, up 37% or $4.55 million compared to the same period last year.

The result, which includes sales across all channels in New Zealand, Australia and export sales for the Group’s Phoenix Organic and Charlie’s brands, is a continuation of the company’s year on year growth trend.

The successful brand launch of Charlie’s Soda Co in October 2007, a boost in marketing activity in the last quarter as well as continuing growth in distribution across all channels contributed to the record sales result for the company.

Chief Executive of Charlie’s Group, Stefan Lepionka, commented: “The Group continues to enjoy superior sales results and we maintain our track record of increasing sales growth.

“The Group has retained its stronghold on the premium beverage market in New Zealand with unprecedented levels of brand recognition. We now have our products in more than 80% of what we believe to be the best premium outlets in New Zealand, with further opportunity to extend our reach as this market grows and evolves.

“Charlie’s Soda Co continues to outperform expectations and has been an impressive success story since the day it launched, with escalating demand outpacing initial supply for our most popular flavours.

“Our growth in share of the premium beverage market in Australia continues to impress with an increase in revenue of 60% on the same period last year. We also experienced good progress in other markets. We are continuing to selectively develop markets in Asia Pacific, with rapid expansion into South Korea contributing to the increase in sales in the six month period.

“We are very pleased with the ongoing growth in sales for Charlie’s Group and expect to see this trend continue into 2008.”

Charlie’s Group will release its unaudited interim results for the six months to 31 December 2007 in late February 2008.

SUMMARY

Sales highlights for the six months to 31 December 2007
• Gross sales up 37% to $16.85 million
• Successful launch of Charlie’s Soda Co. in October 2007
• Growth of export markets, particularly South Korea
• Growth of 60% on the same period last year in Australia
• Maintained stronghold on fridge space and listings in premium outlets throughout New Zealand and Australia
• High growth trend in last quarter of 2007 expected to continue into 2008.

ENDS

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