USA: American whiskies and tequila drive growth for Beam Suntory in H1 2018
American whiskies and tequila drove growth for Beam Suntory in the U.S. in the six months through June, representing the first half of the companys fiscal year, the Shanken News Daily reported on August 7.
In the U.S., Beam Suntorys sales were up by mid-single-digits on an organic basis in the first half, with Bourbons like Jim Beam, Makers Mark, and Basil Haydens leading the way. Sauza Tequila, in particular its higher-priced Hornitos offering, also contributed to the sales rise.
In control states, Beam Suntorys volume was up 4.9% overall in the six months through June, with growth led by Jim Beam (+7.2%), Makers Mark (+9.5%), and Sauza (+11%). Among other key brands in control states, DeKuyper liqueurs were down 5.5%, but Pinnacle vodkawhich has been in decline the past few yearsrebounded with 2.9% progress in the first half. According to Impact Databank, Jim Beam was up 6.5% to 4.9 million cases in the U.S. in 2017 (including flavors), while Makers Mark grew 4.7% to 1.6 million cases, and Sauza rose 10.7% to just under 2.5 million cases, driven by Hornitos, which posted 12% growth to 810,000 cases. Beam Suntorys Effen vodka is also beginning to emerge in the U.S., up 25% to 209,000 cases last year.
Globally, Beam Suntory said that Jim Beams volume was up by high single-digits, with good momentum for the core brand and double-digit growth from higher-end Jim Beam Black. Meanwhile, Makers Mark accelerated in international markets and grew its volumes by double-digits in the first half, as did Basil Haydens Bourbon, Hornitos Tequila, Canadian Club whisky, and Sipsmith gin. Overall, Suntory Holdings beverage alcohol businessalso including beer and wine interestsrose by 3.8% to ¥349 billion ($3.1 bln) excluding excise taxes in the six months through June, while operating income increased 9.7% to ¥62.4 billion ($562 mln).
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