Global Brands records over £50m turnover for FY18
Independent drinks producer and distributor Global Brands has reported a 19.5% increase in total sales, taking turnover to more than £50m for the financial year ending 30 September 2018.
Vinexpo announces new CEO
Show organisers, Vinexpo, has announced that Rodolphe Lameyse will take up his post as its new chief executive officer of the Vinexpo group on April 16.
Fever-Tree records 40% revenue growth in 2018
Premium mixer brand Fever-Tree has announced a 40% revenue growth for the year ended for 31 December 2018.
Quintessential Brands launches North America business
International spirits company, Quintessential Brands Group, has announced the reorganisation of its North American operations, forming a stand-alone business entity to serve the North American market called Quintessential Brands North America.
Prowein announces new head
Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of ProWein and ProWine China/Asia, have announced a new global head wine and spirits of ProWein.
Pernod Ricard UK appoints new on-trade director
Pernod Ricard UK has promoted James Bremner to the position of on-trade channel director, reporting to Chris Ellis, Pernod Ricard UK commercial director.
Cannabis 'poses risk' to alcohol industry in the US, research says
Latest research by the IWSR shows that 45% of millennials in the US who consume alcohol, also consume cannabis.
First Israeli whisky gets UK distribution
The Milk & Honey Distillery has named Maverick Drinks as the sole UK distributor for its collection of whiskies, gins and herbal liqueurs.
Zamora Company expands business to Mexico and France
The Zamora Company has opened a new commercial office in Mexico as well as a new company in France following a 37% increase in turnover over the past six years.
Bacardi Brexit stockpiling: The right solution?
Following the recent announcement that Bacardi has been stockpiling goods, one logistics expert suggested all drinks brands should review its supply chains.
Pernod "monitoring" cannabis legalisation
Pernod Ricard is monitoring the legalisation of cannabis in the US and Canada with the potential of adding a cannabis-based product to its portfolio in the future.
Fentimans expands to Middle East
Fentimans expands to Middle East with the launch of five flavours as it targets 100 countries by 2020.
IWSR releases low/no-alcohol report
The IWSR has released its “Global Opportunities in Low- and No-Alcohol” report, which examines market sizing, key players, on-trade analysis, product innovation, and consumer trends.
Pernod records +7.8% sales growth for H1 FY19
Pernod Ricard has announced ‘very good’ financial results for the first half of FY19 with organic sales up 7.8%.
UK Drinks Retailing Awards announced
UK multiple retailers Morrisons, The Co-op, Waitrose, Tesco and specialist retailer Hedonism, were among the big winners at the 2019 Drinks Retailing Awards, held by Drinks Retailing News at The Dorchester hotel on Wednesday evening (February 5).
WSTA says duty rise "bitterly disappointing"
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned British consumers to expect a rise in wine prices as businesses were hit with a duty rise on Friday 1 February.
Diageo comfortable about stock levels for Brexit
Diageo’s president global supply and procurement is comfortable the company’s stock levels and supply chain, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union.
Stock Spirits buys Distillerie Franciacorta for €25m+
The Stock Spirits Group has announced the purchase of Distillerie Franciacorta Spa, one of the leading Italian producers of grappa, liqueurs and Franciacorta.
Diageo reports net sales up 5.8% for second half of 2018
Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company, has reported net sales of 5.8% and an operating profit of £2.4bn, up 11.0%, driven by organic growth.
Amber Beverage Group appoints Americas MD
As part of its global expansion, Amber Beverage Group has appointed Charles Henagan as managing director Americas.
London Wine Fair to charge some trade visitors
The London Wine Fair has announced a remodelling of the visitor registration system, which means trade visitors not exhibiting and who are considered competition to those companies who do, will be charged to enter.
TFWA China key speakers announced
The 2019 TFWA China’s Century Conference has announced that China Duty Free Group (CDFG), Central Japan International Airport (Nagoya), Alibaba, Ctrip.com and Lagardère Travel Retail will be represented on stage at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Sanya, Haitang Bay from 5-7 March.
Welsh drinks industry shows significant growth
Spirits, cider, low alcohol and alcohol-free beer are some of the key areas of growth across the Welsh drinks sector, according to the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board (FDWIB).
WSET celebrates 50 years
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is celebrating its 50th anniversary providing wine and spirits education to the industry.
Stock Spirits Group reports revenue increase
Premium spirits and liqueurs owner and producer Stock Spirits Group has recorded an +8.7% revenue increase for the year ending September 2018.
Baijiu dominates list of most valuable spirits brands
Leaders of the Chinese baijiu market: Moutai, Wuliangye, and Yanghe are the world’s most valuable spirits brands, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, an independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy.
Edrington sells Cutty Sark to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet
Edrington has sold the Cutty Sark blended scotch whisky brand to French company, La Martiniquaise-Bardinet.
Henkell and Freixenet come together
Henkell & Co. Sektkellerei and Freixenet SA has unveiled a new name and a logo for the holding company, the former Henkell & Co. Group.
Illva Saronno targets 1m cases of Indian whiskey
The CEO of Disaronno parent company Illva Saronno, Augusto Reina, has said they plan to reach 1m cases of Indian whiskey in the near future.
Amber Beverage Group to acquire Russian spirits producer Permalko
Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has confirmed it will complete the acquisition of Permalko, one of the oldest producers of spirits in Russia.
Diageo sells 19 brands to Sazerac for $550m
Diageo has agreed the sale of 19 brands to Sazerac for an aggregate consideration of $550m, due for completion in early 2019.
Brewdog appoints new spirits MD
Brewdog has appointed David Gates as managing director of Brewdog distilling after nearly 30 years working with Diageo.
Scottish exporter targets big China deals
Scotland’s leading exporter of craft beer and spirits JW Filshill International, has embarked on a two-week trade visit to China as it seeks to build on a series of export deals.
MHW expands to Europe with Templeton Rye
MHW the leading service provider for wine, beer, cider and spirits in the US, has expanded to Europe starting with Templeton Rye.
EBS appoints new London general manager
Former head of Reserve Brands at Diageo, Nick Temperley, has joined Edrington-Beam Suntory UK as general manager for London.
WSTA chief: wine duty rise "grossly unfair"
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned consumers to expect an increase in wine prices as businesses take an inflationary hit following the Budget announcement.
Proof Drinks appoints new MD
Drinks brand owner and distributor Proof Drinks has appointment Jeremy Hill (pictured, centre) as managing director.
Spiritseurope boss demands Brexit Withdrawal Agreement solution
The director general of trade body Spiritseurope has called for an urgent resolution to the outstanding issues in the Brexit negotiations before the European Council Summit this week.
LCW 2018: 'Best international turnout ever'
Hannah Sharman-Cox, MD of Drinkup.London joined Drinks International to discuss the success of the ninth edition of London Cocktail Week.
Solera Beverage Group launches Nordic distribution firm
Solera Beverage Group has launched Collection Spirits, a marketing and distribution company specialising in craft and luxury spirits in the Nordics.
Stephanie Jordan launches Drinking Out Loud
Former Tanqueray global brand ambassador Stephanie Jordan has launched a specialist drinks marketing agency to help support emerging craft wine and spirit brands.
William Grant & Sons reports 12.6% profit rise for 2017
Global spirits producer William Grant & Sons has reported profit growth of 12.6% to £250.2m after tax for the year ended 31 December 2017.
AS Liviko gains Spanish distribution deal
AS Liviko has entered into an export contract with Spanish distributor and wine manufacturer Sogas Mascaró resulting in Crafter’s London Dry gin, Crafter’s Aromatic Flower gin and Vana Tallinn liqueurs being exported to Spain.
Cellar Trends announces management changes
Cellar Trends has announced the retirement of joint managing director David Marriott and director of sales Terry Barker (pictured).
WSET appoints new school principal
WSET School London has appointed Richard Harding as the new school principal, responsible for maintaining teaching standards, managing WSET educators and planning the annual schedule of courses.
Diageo appoints new global gastronomer role
Diageo Reserve has appointed Irish chef Mark Moriarty as global gastronomer, its new food advocacy role within the business.
Whyte & Mackay and Proximo Spirits combine UK distribution
Whyte & Mackay (Glasgow, Scotland) and Proximo Spirits (London, England) have announced a partnership to accelerate distribution of their combined portfolios in the UK on trade.
BCB director: World Class clash is “enrichment”
Bar Convent Berlin director Petra Lassahn insists that the schedule clash with Diageo World Class is “an enrichment” to the trade show.
Chivas appoints Rhys Wilson global brand ambassador
Winner of the 2017 UK Chivas Masters cocktail competition, Rhys Wilson, has joined Chivas as global brand ambassador.
Fields, Morris & Verdin acquires Leclerc Briant
Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) has added champagne agency Leclerc Briant to its portfolio, a brand which has been biodynamically certified since the 1980s.