Glasgow drinks brand gears up for new markets
GLASGOW-BASED cocktail brand Panther M*lk has announced ambitious plans to enter into the European market, following success for the brand in Scotland.
The plant-based alternative alcoholic drinks brand launched back in 2015 and has increased its presence massively across Scotland, with a huge spike in growth in both the off-trade and on-trade distribution points over the last 12 months, rising up from 100 to 600.
Now, Panther M*lk is gearing up for the European market with financial support from its win at the Scottish EDGE competition in 2022. Alongside the £75,000 funding, the brand has also worked with leading UK accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael to help introduce Panther M*lk to markets overseas.
Paul Crawford, founder of Panther M*lk, said: “The last two years have been transformational for Panther M*lk and that is set to grow in 2025 with new opportunities in overseas markets, led by a team of well-respected figures from across Scotland’s food and drink industry.
“Starting a business is a hugely exciting, but equally important to success is working collaboratively with the existing business community and learning from industry experts.
“We have found this in abundance via Scottish EDGE, which has subsequently been fundamental to our continued growth.”
Further to its planned expansion overseas, Panther M*lk has also announced an ambition to grow more locally with plans to enter more high street retailers over the next 12 months.
Paul said: “The landscape of the drink industry has evolved significantly since we started. Consumers are more health-conscious and environmentally aware, and Panther M*lk sits comfortably within these trends as a lower ABV, plant-based option.
“Entrepreneurs must embrace feedback, welcome change and consistently evolve their brand in response to these changing consumer habits.”
Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael, said: “Panther M*lk is a dynamic business on a strong growth trajectory that we are proud to have played a small role in helping them to achieve.
“Scottish EDGE is instrumental in fostering Scotland’s start-up sector, with many of the businesses supported having gone on to achieve global success. I wish this year’s cohort the best of luck ahead of the final in November.”
