TORONTO, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cott Corporation (NYSE:COT; TSX:BCB) today announced that its acquisition of Macaw (Soft Drinks) Ltd. has received final clearance from the U.K.'s Competition Commission. "We are extremely pleased that this acquisition has received final regulatory clearance. We can now complete the integration of Macaw into Cott's U.K. division and officially welcome the former Macaw employees to the Cott family," commented John Sheppard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cott. "This acquisition will help us continue to grow our U.K. carbonate and dilute-to-taste business through product innovation and enhanced customer offerings. We will also look to leverage the aseptic manufacturing expertise developed by Macaw for the benefit of other Cott divisions, as we pursue our strategy of positioning Cott for growth in non-carbonated beverages." Cott acquired Macaw Soft Drinks, then a privately owned manufacturer of retailer brand soft drinks, on August 10, 2005 for $135.1 million USD (75.4 million pounds sterling). Macaw's assets include production lines for carbonated soft drinks, dilute-to-taste and aseptic beverages in manufacturing plants located in Nelson, Lancashire. About Cott Corporation ---------------------- Cott Corporation is one of the world's largest retailer brand beverage suppliers whose principal markets are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico. The Company's website is http://www.cott.com/. Safe Harbor Statements ---------------------- This press release contains forward-looking statements reflecting management's current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of the Company. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions, and include, without limitation, stability of procurement costs for raw and packaging materials, the Company's ability to restore plant efficiencies and lower logistics costs, adverse weather conditions, competitive activities by national, regional and retailer brand beverage manufacturers, the Company's ability to develop new products that appeal to consumer tastes, the Company's ability to identify acquisition candidates, successfully consummate acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses into its operations, fluctuations in currency versus the U.S. dollar, the uncertainties of litigation and regulatory review, loss of key customers and retailers' continued commitment to their retailer brand beverage programs. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Cott Corporation CONTACT: Media Relations, Kerry Morgan, Tel: (416) 203-5613; Investor Relations, Edmund O'Keeffe, Tel: (416) 203-5617

Copyright