In its financial report, Pernod says sales were “very strong”, with growth coming from the following markets:
- Americas +6%, with US now growing in line with market and acceleration in Mexico and Brazil
- Asia-Rest of World +9%, thanks to return of strong growth in China and India
- Europe +2% with good momentum in Eastern Europe, Germany and UK but difficulties in France and Spain
- Travel retail “in good growth, across all regions, thanks in part to new organisation, leading to value market share gains”.
Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO said: “FY18 was a very strong year. Consistent strategic implementation has enabled us to deliver a significant improvement in business performance while investing for the future.
“Our sales have accelerated and diversified, and our margins improved. In FY19, in a still uncertain geopolitical and monetary environment, we will continue consistently implementing our strategy.
“Our guidance for FY19 is organic growth in profit from recurring operations between +5% and +7%.”
In terms of brands, the Pernod Ricard financial reports says the following:
- Strategic international brands +7% with 11 out of 13 in growth
- Martell +14% and Jameson +14%
- Scotch portfolio +3% after a stable 2017 with a return to growth of Chivas at +5%.
- Absolut +2%, thanks to success outside of US (+6%) while US is still in decline.
- Seagram’s Indian whiskies +13%