General News
Expert Okays GSK’s Sale of Ribena, Lucozade to Suntory
GlaxoSmithKline’s sale of Ribena and Lucozade to Japan’s Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd completes a transition for GlaxoSmithKline that started in the second half of the 20th century.
Christian Stadler, Warwick Business School associate professor of Strategic Management, Christian Stadler, analysis of the deal made available to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek said that “I don’t think it is a sign that Ribena and Lucozade have been doing badly, rather that they are really consumer goods, which are more suited to a pure consumer company that operates in that market, like Suntory”
Stadler has researched GlaxoSmithKline for his book “Enduring Success”, which looks at how long-living corporations have survived for so long.
Stadler said: “This is a question of how do you structure your portfolio, and I think this is a good idea for GlaxoSmithKline. A company is constantly assessing its portfolio and research shows that diversification into related products is best for profit. The big question for any company, though, is what are related products? And GlaxoSmithKline have decided that their core business should be in prescription drugs and consumer healthcare brands such as Panadol and Aquafresh rather than consumer goods.
“Looking at GlaxoSmithKline’s long history, since New Zealander Joseph Edward Nathan founded what was to become Glaxo Laboratories in 1861, it started out producing milk powder while Ribena was launched in the 1930s, and Lucozade in the 1920s, but the sale of them today completes a transition for GlaxoSmithKline that started in the second half of the 20th century”
According to the Professor, iIt has moved further and further into the prescription drug market and that is now its core business, with healthcare products added alongside them.
“I don’t think it is a sign that Ribena and Lucozade have been doing badly, rather that they are really consumer goods, which are more suited to a pure consumer company that operates in that market, like Suntory. By having a wider diversity you increase the complexity to manage the company, so by focusing more on prescription drugs and healthcare products it will make it easier to run the company” he added
Japan’s Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd was reported to have bought GlaxoSmithKline’s Lucozade and Ribena brands for 1.35 billion pounds to help the Japanese company expand into new markets.
The acquisition, announced by the companies on Monday, had been widely anticipated since people close to the process said last week that Suntory was in advanced talks on a deal that would preempt an auction of the iconic British drinks.
Japan’s second-largest drinks maker has plenty of cash after an initial public offering in June that raised four billion dollars.
It was always seen as the most likely buyer for the brands after GSK announced plans in April for their disposal.
Lucozade and Ribena are well-loved in Britain, but lack global reach, especially in the big emerging markets that are becoming the focus of the British drug maker’s consumer health business.
For Suntory, however, they offer a growth opportunity to counter sluggish demand at home. Suntory bought the Orangina Schweppes drinks brand for more than three billion dollars in 2009, giving it a significant presence in France and Spain.
By acquiring a new business with a focus on Britain, Suntory said it expected to further grow sales. The purchase also allows the Japanese group to extend its reach into countries where GSK already operates, such as Nigeria and Malaysia.
Despite being on the market for around 80 years, Lucozade and Ribena have combined annual sales of just over 500 million pounds a year.
That puts the transaction on a multiple of 2.7 times revenue – at the high end of recent soft drinks deals.
Suntory, which is better known for its beer and Yamazaki whisky, said the deal would have a limited effect on 2013 results and it was “currently examining the effect it will have on the performance outlook for the following business year and onward”.
The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals. For GSK, it will yield net proceeds of around 1.3 billion pounds – after tax, fees and costs – that will be used to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes.
The net gain will be excluded from 2013 core operating profit and earnings per share.
A GSK spokesman said Suntory’s bid was also attractive because it would protect jobs in Britain. Some 700 employees will transfer to the Japanese group, including around 500 workers at GSK’s Coleford factory in the west of England.
The GSK spokesman said there was expected to be very little, if any, impact on jobs as a result of the sale.
MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, has retained the distribution rights to 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels following the signing of a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement between CANAL+ Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership.
MultiChoice
The new deal, which spans several regions across Africa and Europe, covers the distribution of HBO Max as well as the renewal of selected Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels. It represents a major milestone in the companies’ international collaboration and strengthens content offerings across MultiChoice Group territories.
MultiChoice disclosed that this agreement builds on earlier partnerships concluded in Europe. “It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024,including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France and the integration of HBO Max within select CANAL+ group offers – as well as in Poland in 2025, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels (including TVN 24 and Eurosport) and 4 free-to-air channels (including TVN).”
Under the renewed arrangement, MultiChoice Group will continue to distribute 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across its territories, with some channels offered on an exclusive basis. CNN International and Cartoon Network will remain exclusive to South Africa while being distributed non-exclusively in other markets. Cartoon Network Porto will be exclusive in Angola and Mozambique and non-exclusive elsewhere. Other channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa, Travel, ID and Cartoonito will be offered on a non-exclusive basis.
According to the partners, the deal reinforces CANAL+ Group’s channel portfolio on the continent. “This agreement enables CANAL+ Group to strengthen its entertainment, kids, news, and documentary channel offerings in African markets.”
The agreement is also expected to improve access for CANAL+ Group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium content through HBO Max and selected channels, including globally recognised series and films, further extending the studio’s international reach while consolidating MultiChoice’s content offering in key markets.
Nigeria Police Force has suspended nationwide enforcement of its tinted glass permit policy, hours before its scheduled rollout, in compliance with a Delta State High Court order.
Tinted glass permit
The policy, set for January 2, 2026, aimed to curb vehicle-related crimes but faced legal challenge from a private citizen against the Inspector-General of Police, the force, and Delta Police Commissioner.
An ex parte injunction issued in December 2025 restrained enforcement pending suit determination, prompting the hold announced by spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin on January 1.
Police entered appearance, filed preliminary objections, and sought injunction vacation; hearing adjourned to January 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Bar Association condemned initial police plans as “executive recklessness,” accusing disregard for rule of law, while police insisted no permanent bar existed on statutory duties.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun reiterated adherence to law while prioritising public safety via intelligence-led strategies during proceedings.
Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.
Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.
According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.
The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.
Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.
He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.
Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.
In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.
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