WARM weather and World Cup football have boosted beer sales at C&C Group, owner of Tennent’s Lager.

The Dublin-based firm, which also sells Magners cider in the UK, said trading has been positive across all key markets since March 1.

And it noted that consumer reaction in Scotland to the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing this year has been in line with expectations, with the measure leading drinkers to shift from buying bulk to smaller packs of beer in shops and supermarkets. It is understood the drop in large pack sales has been mitigated by rising beer sales sparked by hot weather and live football action in Russia.

Scotland introduced a minimum price for alcohol of 50p per unit on May 1.

C&C, which acquired Tennent Caledonian for £180 million in 2009, said good early summer weather had helped its Bulmers cider business return to moderate volume growth in Ireland in the year to date. It also reported an improvement in service levels and performance levels at Matthew Clark Bibendum, the drinks wholesale business it acquired after its former parent group Conviviality went into administration in April.

Meanwhile, the company confirmed long-standing chairman Sir Brian Stewart would be stepping down at yesterday’s annual meeting. The former chief executive of Scottish & Newcastle has been replaced by brewing veteran Stewart Gilliland after holding the role for eight years.

C&C chief executive Stephen Glancey said: “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the board of thanking Sir Brian for his outstanding contribution to the board and the company through this period of significant change for the business.”