The deal will see Stolichnaya, Stolichnaya Flavoured, Stolichnaya Gold, and elit by Stolichnaya distributed to the on and off-trade in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese travel retail.

Links Concept had handled the brands in China and Hong Kong since the end of 2009.

Val Mendeleev, CEO of SPI Group, said: “It is an exciting time to invest in this key market where the Stolichnaya brand has more than doubled its volumes year-on-year.”

Telford International Company, a family-owned business, has 45 years’ experience of distributing wine, spirits, and beer in China.

Lowie Edjan and Vincent Fong, respective general managers of Telford Hong Kong & Macau, and Telford China said: “We are pleased Telford International has been appointed by SPI Group as the official and sole distributor of Stolichnaya in the Hong Kong, Macau, HK Duty Free and China Duty Free markets.

“Stolichnaya is one of the world’s leading and most popular vodkas, and through Telford’s extensive distribution network and professional sales and marketing expertise, we will bring better service and profit to the trade.”