Despite many being confronted with greater financial pressures, Australians refuse to sacrifice their taste buds when it comes to their choice of alcohol. Strong volume sales of imported and domestic premium beer, premium brand spirits and bottled wine over $10, contradict the belief that Australians could turn to cheaper booze in times of struggle. Imported premium beer and domestic premium beer enjoyed significant volume growth of 15.3 and 18.6 per cent respectively for the quarter to March 2009,... ...Read more »

Alcohol beverage distributor and manufacturer Independent Distillers fear the introduction of alcopops tax will cut jobs, not drinking. If new excise measures are passed by the Senate, this could mean the closure of its factory in Laverton – a loss of 135 jobs, and potentially a further 150 among suppliers and customers. It could also mean the company may have to consider moving operations overseas. Since the 70 per cent tax on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages was introduced in April 2008... ...Read more »

Alcohol may not be recession proof but it remains relatively resistant, save for a few sectors, according to new research from the US. Results of an American consumer survey, presented at Nielsen’s recent Consumer 360 conference, show that, with around half of consumers cutting back on restaurant outings and one in three on bar/nightclub visits, the alcohol industry has some concerns. “While alcohol beverages are sometimes thought to be ‘recession proof’, we’re seeing... ...Read more »

With an ageing population comes opportunity for food and beverage marketers, according to new analysis from Datamonitor. In a follow up to their research into the non-alcoholic beverage market, they have looked into the prospects for the alcoholic beverage sector within the Seniors market. Matthew Taylor, Consumer Analyst at Datamonitor, believes that premium products will continue to get a boost in demand from older consumers. “Alcoholic drinks are enjoyed by all age groups above legal drinking... ...Read more »

The world’s leading wine and spirits brands have grown in value over the past 12 months as consumers search for the safety of respected brands. Intangible Business, a brand valuation consultancy, released its annual league table of the world’s most powerful wine and spirits brands overnight, with Smirnoff coming out on top. The Power 100, now in its fourth year, was compiled from analysis of over 10,000 brands. It combines each brand’s financial contribution with consumer brand... ...Read more »

Premium alcohol beverage giant, Diageo, has reported organic profit growth of 6% for the first half of 2008/09 despite facing stronger economic headwinds in the last two months of the year. “Diageo’s performance in this first half again demonstrates the resilience we have from our brand range across categories, price points and geography,” Paul Walsh, Chief Executive of Diageo, said. “The global economic slowdown has affected business in the period and in November and December... ...Read more »

Constellation Brands, the world’s largest wine company and a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol, has entered into an agreement to sell its spirits business to New Orleans-based Sazerac Company for US$334 million (A$492m). The transaction is expected to close by the end of February 2009. Constellation, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and owns the Houghton and Hardys brands among others, is retaining the SVEDKA Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky... ...Read more »

While sales trends have typically favoured white spirits in recent years, brown spirits, led by whiskey, appear to be making a comeback. U.S. sales growth for whiskey and brown spirits is outperforming the growth rate of the overall spirits category in 2008, according to The Nielsen Company. Brown spirits include all whiskeys: Bourbon/Straight, Blends, Canadian, Scotch, Irish, etc., as well as Cognac/Brandy. White spirits include Vodka, Gin, Tequila and Rum, even if such categories might include... ...Read more »

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., owner of the Jim Beam brand and the fourth largest premium spirits company in the world , and Hornitos Tequila (a Sauza brand, which is owned by Beam Global) have proclaimed new technology partnerships will enable the company to evolve with consumers ever changing needs. Hornitos believes they have found new ways to connect with consumers on-premise and in their daily lives through mobile and product technologies. Buy Your Amigo Hornitos As of August 1, 2008,... ...Read more »

The UK Government has sent a strong warning to alcohol companies via a proposal to implement extensive legislation changes if the industry doesn’t adhere to its’ own voluntary standards. Mandatory regulation and labelling could be on the cards following a major consultation about England’s drinking culture, launched this week by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo. The Department of Health consultation is published together with independent reviews, which claim that the drinks... ...Read more »