Eating and drinking out remains a priority for Britons despite economic pressures

Two-thirds of British adults say that eating and drinking out is still a priority for them despite the cost-of-living crisis according to new research from Zonal in partnership with CGA by NIQ and UKHospitality.

Diageo reports H1 decline in sales due to performance in Latin America

Drinks giant Diageo saw a 1.4% decline in net sales in the first half of fiscal 2024 due to a 23% decline in trading in Latin America and Caribbean markets.

Diageo launches open call to improve water usage

Diageo has announced an open innovation call for improvements that will lessen and more effectively manage water usage across five areas of its global supply chain.

Beam Suntory France begins trading

Beam Suntory France has officially begun operations and is directly responsible for the marketing and distribution of its portfolio in France.

Beam Suntory appoints chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer

Spirits group Beam Suntory has announced the appointment of Jamey Martin as the company’s chief diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officer.

No-alcohol category to grow to 4% of total alcohol market by 2027

The no-alcohol share of the total beverage alcohol market is expected to grow to nearly 4% by 2027 according to a newly published report from IWSR.

Beam Suntory agrees Courvoisier deal with Gruppo Campari

Gruppo Campari has agreed a billion-pound deal to buy Beam Suntory's cognac brand Courvoisier. 

Diageo launches inaugural global consumer trends report

Smirnoff owner Diageo has launched a global report offering insight into consumer trends around the world. 

Berry Bros. & Rudd report strong growth despite drop in underlying earnings

Fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced a double-digit sales growth of 11.1% to £254.3 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2023.

East London Liquor Company bought out of administration

East London Liquor Co has been bought out of administration following “harsh new conditions” on its Time to Pay agreement with HMRC.

Diageo announces global partnership with ecoSpirits

Drinks giant, Diageo has announced a global partnership with ecoSpirits to scale the distribution of the Diageo portfolio in reusable packaging to 18 markets over the next three years.

Hi-Spirits UK announces name change

Sazerac Company has announced the renaming of subsidiary spirits distributor Hi-Spirits UK, to Sazerac UK.

UK to freeze alcohol duty until 1 August 2024

In the Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the plan to freeze alcohol duty until August next year.

Nc’nean secures funding to grow in North American markets

Nc’nean Distillery Limited has secured a Virgin Money funding package with the backing of UK Government department, UK Export Finance (UKEF), to help the independent distillery grow in North American markets.

Latin America and Caribbean see Diageo profit decrease

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo is expecting to see a decline in profit in the first half of fiscal 2024, due to a “weaker performance” in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC). 

Speciality Brands to distribute Distillerie de Grandmont in the UK

Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has signed an agreement with French spirits producer Distillerie de Grandmont to exclusively distribute the brand’s expressions in the UK from this month.

Beam Suntory strengthens European presence with new French subsidiary

Multinational spirits group Beam Suntory has announced plans to launch Beam Suntory France in January 2024, establishing the Maker’s Mark and Yamazaki owner’s own route-to-market in Europe’s largest whisky market.

Illva Saronno buys majority of Sagamore Spirit

Italian drinks company and owner of Disaronno and Tia Maria, Illva Saronno Group, has bought a majority stake in US rye whiskey brand and distillery, Sagamore Spirit.

International Beverage acquires Cardrona Distillery

International Beverage has announced its acquisition of New Zealand spirits producer, Cardrona Distillery.

BrewDog appoints Oak & Still as spirits distributor

BrewDog Distilling Co has appointed Oak & Still as the UK distributor for its spirit portfolio of Abstrakt vodka, DUO rum and LoneWolf gin. 

International Beverage to acquire Larsen Cognac business from Anora

International Beverage has entered into an agreement with Anora Group plc to acquire its Larsen Cognac business.

Stock Spirits acquires Clan Campbell and the Dugas Group

Stock Spirits Group has announced the finalisation of two acquisitions including Clan Campbell from Pernod Ricard and the purchase of the Société Dugas.

Franklin & Sons partners with De Monnik Dranken for Netherlands distribution

De Monnik Dranken (DMD) has announced its partnership with Global Brands Ltd in the Netherlands.

Pernod Ricard FY23 sales up 10%

Pernod Ricard saw organic net sales rise 10% in fiscal 2023, driven by strong growth across all spirits categories, alongside broad-based growth across all regions.

Chivas Brothers reports strongest sales in a decade

Pernod Ricard’s dedicated Scotch business, Chivas Brothers, has announced an increase in net sales of 17% in the 2023 fiscal year, taking total sales to a ten-year high.

Burnt Faith partners with Proof Drinks

Burnt Faith has partnered with drinks specialists, Proof Drinks, to drive interest in British brandy houses across the UK.

Elevated Spirits Company appoints senior leadership team

The Elevated Spirits Company, producer of the Cierto Tequila portfolio, has announced the appointment of its senior leadership team.

Molson Coors acquires Blue Run Spirits

Molson Coors Beverage Company has reached an agreement to acquire Blue Run Spirits, producer of bourbon and rye whiskies.

Wine and Spirit Trade Association launches first guide for no and low

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has launched the UK’s first comprehensive alcohol guide for the no and low category.

British hospitality loses one in 18 sites in last 12 months

The new Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners has revealed that in the last 12 months, Britain has lost around one in 18 of its licensed premises, 5,736 pubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes.

Marco Ferrari appointed chief executive of Illva Saronno Group

Illva Saronno Group, the owner of brands Disaronno and Tia Maria, have announced the appointment of Marco Ferrari as the new chief executive of the group.

Beam Suntory announces CEO transition

Beam Suntory’s president and CEO, Albert Baladi, has announced that he will transition CEO responsibilities effective 1 October this year to Greg Hughes, the company’s current senior vice president chief growth and brands officer. 

Court unseals Diddy’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo

Newly unredacted documents have shed light on US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs claims of racial discrimination against drinks giant Diageo.

Scottish couple to sue Diageo over black fungus property damage

A Scottish court has ruled that a couple, who have claimed that the angel’s share emissions from a whisky bond have devalued their home, can pursue damages action against Diageo.

Pernod Ricard UK announces distribution agreement with Sovereign Brands

Pernod Ricard UK has announced that, from 1 July, it will distribute the Sovereign Brands wine and spirits range which includes brands Luc Belaire, Bumbu Rum, McQueen & The Violet Fog and Villon.

Outcast Brands joins forces with bbb drinks for UK Distribution Partnership

Outcast Brands, the company behind Blood Monkey Gin and Two Shores Rum, has announced their partnership with bbb drinks for the distribution and brand activation of their premium spirits in the UK market. 

Coca-Cola HBC to acquire Finlandia vodka

Coca-Cola HBC, the bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, has announced the agreed acquisition of Finland vodka from Brown-Forman for $220 million, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Drinks Trust asks industry to support its Cost of Living Crisis Appeal

From this month until the end of 2023, The Drinks Trust aims to raise £230,000 to support those who need help the most through its new Cost of Living Crisis Appeal.

SommCon debuts newly expanded trade show

SommCon, the San Diego, California-based conference for wine, beer and spirits education has announced the launch of its newly expanded trade show for import, distribution and on and off-premise alcohol beverage buyers. 

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet acquires Generous Gin

La Martiniquaise has announced the acquisition of French spirit Generous Gin, to add to the group’s premium offer and its ‘Craft From France’ portfolio.

Diageo’s Ivan Menezes to step down as CEO

Diageo has announced that its chief executive officer Sir Ivan Menezes will be retiring and is set to depart from the Diageo Board on 30 June this year, following 10 years leading the company.

Southern Glazer’s acquires WEBB Banks

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has announced its plans to acquire Miami-based WEBB Banks, a distributor of brands including Tito's Handmade Vodka, in the Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as the travel retail and cruise sector. 

US spirits exports reach $2.06bn

A new report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has revealed that total US spirits exports reached a record $2.06bn in 2022, buoyed by the temporary halt to retaliatory tariffs, with American whiskey exports to the UK remaining lower than pre-tariff levels.

Hannah Lanfear joins Speciality Drinks as advocacy manager

Premium spirits supplier Speciality Drinks has announced the appointment of The Mixing Class founder Hannah Lanfear in a newly-created advocacy manager role.

Diageo reports 18.4% half year sales growth

Diageo, purveyor of Johnnie Walker and Guinness, has announced half year results to 31 December 2022 with reported net sales of £9.4bn, increased 18.4%, reflecting strong organic net sales growth.

ItalSpirits appoints advocacy director

Drinks marketing, events and brand activation agency, ItalSpirits, has appointed Roberta Mariani as advocacy director.

Brown-Forman appoints chief information officer

Brown-Forman Corporation has announced the appointment of Larry Combs to the newly created role of chief information officer and director of supply chain integration and strategy.

Liviko expands distribution to Denmark

Estonian spirits producer, Liviko, and Conaxess Trade Beverages have signed a distribution agreement for Denmark.

Southern Glazer’s e-commerce platform surpasses US$3bn

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has announced that its e-commerce platform, Proof, has passed the $3 billion revenue mark in 2022.

Global Brands Limited purchases Hooch, Hooper’s and Reef brands from Molson Coors

Global Brands Limited has announced it has purchased the Hooch, Hooper’s, and Reef trademarks from Molson Coors Beverage Company.