Mumbai, July 29 - Liquor major United Spirits has posted a 54 percent hike in net profit at Rs.179.06 crore in the quarter ended June 30 as against Rs.115.93 crore in the like period last year.

The total revenue stood at Rs.1,248.06 crore in the quarter, up 17 percent from Rs.1,067.12 crore reported in the year-ago period.

The company attributed the increase in sales to first time consumers, who had attained a legal drinking age.

'These first time consumers are now entering at mid price points as against low price points,' it said in a regulatory statement.

A drop in prices of fuel and a reduction in excise duties resulted in cost of packaging go down. The company also spent less during the quarter on marketing activities.