Pernod Ricard Sales Up 13% in Q1

Organic growth was +7%, driven by super premium spirits, emerging countries and certain Western countries. The Group structure effect (+12%) primarily reflected the integration of Vin & Sprit from 23 July.

30/10/08 Pernod Ricard has reported consolidated net sales (excluding duties and taxes) for the 2008/09 first quarter increased by +13% to € 1,756 million.

Organic growth was +7%, driven by super premium spirits, emerging countries and certain Western countries. The Group structure effect (+12%) primarily reflected the integration of Vin & Sprit from 23 July. The foreign exchange effect was unfavourable by -6% due to the US Dollar (average exchange rate lower than in the first quarter of last year), to the depreciation of the Pound Sterling, the Korean Won and the Indian Rupee.

The Spirits and Wines businesses posted organic growth of +6% and +8% respectively. 

The 14 strategic brands (excluding Absolut) recorded organic growth of +7% in value and +2% in volume, due to a strong mix/price effect. The best performing brands in value (3) were Perrier-Jouët (+29%), The Glenlivet (+27%), Jameson (+17%), Mumm (+16%), Montana (+15%), Chivas Regal (+11%), Havana Club (+9%) and Ballantine’s (+9%). 

Absolut reported a very good first quarter for the past 3 months that showed growth of  +2% in the US, +42% in Brazil, +23% in France, +20% in Poland, +12% in Greece and +8% in Spain, etc. On a 12 sliding month basis to end of June 2008, Absolut’s local sales were estimated at 10.9 million cases, an increase of +9% compared to the previous period. 

Aside from strategic brands, leading local brands continued their satisfactory development: Amaro Ramazzotti in Germany, Wisers in Canada, Royal Stag in India, Ararat in Russia, Something Special in Venezuela and Ecuador, Passport in Brazil and Mexico and Wyborowa in Poland. Conditions were more difficult for Imperial in South Korea and 100 Pipers in Thailand, due to the situation in these two countries.