Drinks giant Diageo reported a 2.8% drop in organic sales in the first half of its 2026 fiscal year due to weak demand in North America and China.

UK-based Spirit of Harrogate, owner of Slingsby, will enter administration with the businesses’ assets being put up for sale.

Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of a minority stake in Almave, the non-alc blue agave-based spirit brand, co-founded by Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton and Casa Lumbre’s Iván Saldaña.