Charlie's full-year profit may double on Australian sales

Charlie's Group chief executive Stefan Lepionka Photo / supplied

Charlie's Group, the juice maker that counts Australia's biggest supermarket chains as customers, said full-year profit may almost double on sales across the Tasman.

Profit in the year ending June 30 will be $2.2 million to $2.5 million, up from $1.3 million in 2010, the Auckland-based company said in a statement.

The numbers exclude a one-time gain from the sale of property.
Gross sales would climb to between $48 million and $50 million, from $34.3million last year.

"These latest trading results are a reflection of the rapid growth we are currently experiencing in Australia, particularly in the grocery channel and show a reflection of the significant step change the business has undergone due to gaining key listings in Coles a major supermarket chain," said chief executive Stefan Lepionka.

Sales in the third quarter jumped 48 per cent to $15.3 million, the company said today.

Charlie's first-half profit soared 56 per cent after it won distribution through Coles.

This month the company announced a similar deal with Woolworths, Australia's biggest retailer.

Shares of Charlie's have soared about 200 per cent in the past 12 months.

The stock was unchanged at 27 cents yesterday.