The global drinks industry is showing positive signs of recovery and will grow in volume by 2.9% by the end of 2021, according to new IWSR forecasts.

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has reported that net revenues in 2020 remained at 2019 levels despite an 8.4% drop in volumes due to the global pandemic.

US wine imported into the UK could become one of several American products to be levied with new tariffs as part of the ongoing trade war.

Diageo North America has announced Pronghorn, an economic initiative to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in the spirits industry.

Edrington and Beam Suntory have reached an agreement to end their joint-venture distribution businesses in Spain and the UK after more than a decade of partnership.

Lucas Bols has reported an estimated 32% year-on-year decline in revenue for the 2020/21 financial year after widespread on-trade closures and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pernod Ricard’s global sales have seen a 1.7% organic growth for the first nine months of FY21 which totalled €6,941m.

Kirker Greer Spirits has launched in France after securing a deal with wine and spirits importer, Maison Milhade.

Hamburg based Broco-Marken-Import has appointed new members of its global business development team as part of its international focus for expansion.

Premium spirits producer Gordon & MacPhail has appointed Allied Young Fortune Brands as its distribution partner for the South Korean market.

Fever-Tree has announced full year revenue declines of 3% year-on-year for for the financial year ending 31 December 2020.

South African wines and spirits producer Distell International has signed a distribution agreement with French cognac house Camus for China duty free, effective immediately.

Bacardi has appointed Simon Owen as its new managing director for Australia and New Zealand which will be effective from April 1.

ADF&PCD and PLD Paris is launching a digital series of workshops for packaging developers and designers in the premium drinks sector this March.

Diageo has completed the acquisition of Herefordshire-based craft spirits firm Chase Distillery for an undisclosed fee.

Alcohol free wine brand Eisberg is set to be acquired by Schloss Wachenheim AG (SWA) from Halewood Artisanal Spirits.

Pernod Ricard sales for H1 FY21 have shown an organic decline of -3.9% on the previous year largely due to the ongoing struggles of travel retail.

MGP Ingredients has agreed a deal to acquire US spirits company Luxco for a value of $476m in cash and stock.

JW Filshill, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, has acquired Eldorado Tonic Wine as part of its purchase of KB Agencies for an undisclosed sum.

Following the recent election of new president Jaya Singh, TFWA has announced its desire to widen its representation within its affiliate trade associations.

Copenhagen-based flavour company Empirical has appointed Mangrove as its new distributor to grow the sales of its spirits and RTDs portfolio in the UK.

Halewood Artisanal Spirits has announced the appointment of Dr Kirstie McCallum as its new master blender, as the business looks to strengthen its whisky portfolio.

Brands Report editor Hamish Smith explains the methodolgy behind the report's polling system.

A new imports and distribution company has opened in Tel Aviv, Israel called Free Spirits & Co which will focus on the craft spirits market.

With effect from September 30, Kay Engelke-Engfeld will down from his role as managing director global business of BORCO-MARKEN-IMPORT.

With effect from 30 September 2020, Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, shareholder and family member of the owners of one of European spirits companies Borco-Marken-Import, is leaving the company's management board.

Spirits giant Pernod Ricard has announced a -9.5% sales decline for FY20 due to the impacts of Covid-19 in the on-trade.

Manchester-based Kingsland Drinks will power a new spirits company to provide a portfolio of premium brands to the on and off-trade.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has announced a -17% loss in sales in the first half of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has sold its Polish shares of the company to United Beverages Group having seen -€9.3m in sales in 2019.

Fever-Tree has acquired German import company Global Drinks Partnership after seven years working together to further grow its presence in Europe.

Pernod Ricard has released a revised outlook for the 2020 financial year in light of the effects that COVID-19 is having on the drinks industry.

Campari Group has donated €1m to public healthcare institution ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco in Milan, centre of national excellence in the research and treatment of highly contagious and dangerous diseases.

The Benevolent charity has been renamed The Drinks Trust and carries a new logo, website and objectives for the foreseeable future.

Premium Italian spirits company Illva Saronno, best known for producing Disaronno and Tia Maria, has announced plans to launch its own UK subsidiary, Disaronno International UK.

In light of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, Vinexpo Hong Kong has been postponed until 8-10 July 2020.

Eggers & Franke Group, Bremen, has signed a new deal for the distribution of cava brand Codorníu in Germany from April 1 onwards.

Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse has insisted that the Hong Kong show is still scheduled to go ahead despite fears over the Coronavirus.

Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse plans to launch a standalone spirits show assuming the upcoming Vinexpo instalments are a success.

Five leading figures from the UK drinks scene have joined forces to create Sip and Savour, a strategic brand development and distribution business dedicated to launching and growing drinks brands internationally.

Diageo has reported increased profits for the six months ended 31 December 2019 with a 4.2% rise in reported net sales.

Cask Liquid Marketing has appointed Claire West as managing director following her role as head of prestige at Pernod Ricard.

Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse said the new joint venture with Comexposium will make it the number one wine and spirits events company in the world.

Global event organiser Comexposium and Vinexpo have entered into exclusive negotiations to create a new joint venture entity.

A renewed focus on in store experience and a revamped product range has seen growth of 4.3% at Majestic Wine for the final quarter of 2019.

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) will move the Summit of the Americas from Orlando to Palm Beach, Florida in 2021.

Global spirits group Amber Beverage Group has completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Austrian distribution and wholesaler company Mountain Spirits.

Stoli Group gets $42m loan

19 December, 2019

New York-based Stoli Group USA has been given a $42m asset-based credit loan by Citizens Commercial Banking.

Pernod Ricard has completed the acquisition of Castle Brands by a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard SA, through a cash tender offer followed by a short-form merger.

The Campari Group has bought the controlling interest from a group of Mexican entrepreneurs, in Licorera Ancho Reyes and spicy liqueur and Montelobos mezcal.

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