PERNOD’S SPIRITS UNIT DRIVE SALES

Thanks to the successful integration of the new Allied Domecq brands, Pernod’s sales were lifted by 67.4% in the first nine months of the year. However, organic growth in the third quarter fell to 1.5% compared to 4% in total from the start of the year. And despite the strong performance by Pernod’s new brands, total volume growth for the company was just 1% as the group’s wine business fell by 2.9% due to the Australian grape glut.


However, sales from 12 key brands – including Chivas Regal, Jameson, Martel and The Glenlivet – performed strongly with 7% sales growth since the start of the year, according to Pernod. This shows that the company is concentrating more on their premium brands and going along with consumer trends. Organic growth from its Americas division was up 7% due to a “good performance” in the US and strong sales in Venezuela and Central America. U.S. sales increased 4.9% for the nine-month period with improvements in the acquired Allied Domecq brands in the 3Q. Pernod reiterated its expectation for a 10%-15% growth for 2006.