Chesterfield Champion Global Brands boosts growth with Skinny Brands acquisition
Chesterfield Champion Global Brands has acquired low-calorie beer and cider specialist Skinny Brands, expanding its portfolio and responding to growing consumer demand for lower-calorie alcoholic drinks.
The deal sees products including Skinny Lager, Skinny IPA and Skinny Fruit Cider join the Global Brands portfolio with immediate effect, further strengthening the company’s position in a fast-evolving market.
Founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs Tom Bell and Gary Conway, Skinny Brands was created with a focus on producing lower-calorie, gluten-free alcoholic drinks without compromising on taste. Ten years on, the brand has secured listings with major UK retailers including Tesco, Morrisons and B&M Bargains, reflecting strong growth and increasing consumer awareness.
This acquisition aligns with wider shifts in drinking habits across the UK. Around 41% of adults now consider calorie content when choosing alcoholic drinks, while 26% actively seek lower-calorie options. As a result, sales of lower-calorie beers rose by more than 17% in 2024, highlighting the momentum behind this category.
The move follows Global Brands’ acquisitions of Hooch, Hooper’s and Reef in 2023, underlining a clear strategy to diversify and strengthen its product range in response to changing consumer preferences.
By bringing Skinny Brands into its portfolio, Global Brands aims to accelerate growth through its established distribution, logistics and international network, while offering customers a broader and more relevant range of products.
Commenting on the deal, founder and CEO Steve Perez said:
“I have long admired Skinny Brands – the shift towards low-calorie, gluten-free options is something we have been actively monitoring for some time at Global Brands, and the team has done an impressive job at building a brand in what is a highly competitive and fast-evolving category.
“We are always evaluating how we can strengthen our brand portfolio for our customers, and this acquisition marks another important milestone in that journey. Skinny Brands has built a strong position within the ‘better for you’ drinks space, and we believe these drinks offer a great, natural fit for our business and for the customers we work alongside.
“With Global Brands’ international reach, this acquisition means we can put the full strength of our business behind Skinny Brands – from distribution and logistics to our established customer network – accelerating its growth by introducing it to new markets, while also giving our customers access to a broader, more relevant portfolio within a high-growth category.
“Ultimately, our ambition is to take Skinny Brands from a strong challenger brand to a truly mainstream player, both in the UK and internationally.”
To explore investment opportunities in Chesterfield, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/
To find out more about Global Brands, visit: globalbrands.co.uk
Global Brands is one of over 200 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.
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