You could boost your cider sales by 20% by stocking up on top-selling brands and supporting innovation, research by Heineken has revealed.

The manufacturer behind Strongbow and Bulmers surveyed independent retailers and found they had benefited from double-digit growth after stocking up on Strongbow’s new flavoured variants. Retailer Polly Patel from Bishop’s Waltham in Hampshire said since Strongbow Dark Fruit launched her Strongbow cider sales are up. “On the whole cider range I am doing 20% more a month,” she said.

Southampton retailer Andy Jones added: “Strongbow Original has always been a very good seller for us, but with the flavoured variants being introduced, it’s taken off very well for our business.”

Heineken launched Strongbow Dark Fruit in May to tap into the growing demand for flavoured cider, which grew by 54% last year. It followed the introduction of Strongbow Pear in 2012, which was the best-selling long alcoholic drink launch last year, with 46% of sales incremental to the cider category.

Learn more on how you can make the most of Strongbow Dark Fruit, and for your chance to win a case of each of the Strongbow variants click here.