Spain’s Zamora Company has appointed Javier Pijoan as its new CEO to replace former chief executive Emilio Restoy.

Sales of no and low alcohol beverages in 10 key global markets reached almost $10 billion in 2021 up from $7.8 billion in 2018, according to a new IWSR report.

Ahead of New Years Eve celebrations, South Africa ended restrictions on the sale of alcohol that have been in place since 27 March 2020.

Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced measures to support England’s hospitality sector this festive period as Omicron cases rise.

Tighter restrictions on hospitality venues of been introduced to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in the Republic of Ireland.

Mancino Vermouth has been acquired by The Lucano Group for an undisclosed fee and joins a wide portfolio of premium spirits brands.

Politicians and industry groups are urging the UK government to provide financial support to firms impacted by the rising Covid cases.

Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of a majority stake in Société des Produits d’Armagnac (SPA) to Cloudsweeper, an entity owned by entrepreneur Alexander Stein.

In 2020, craft spirits in the US volume gains of almost 8%, growing to a 5% volume share and 7% value share of the total US spirits market, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Proof Creative, the bar and beverage consultancy arm of the Asia Pacific-based independent spirits distributor Proof & Co, has launched its 20 Pillar Plan as an online resource.

Lucas Bols has announced a return of revenues to pre-Covid times for the first half of the 2021/22 financial year.

On 1 February 2022 Spiribam, the spirit division of Groupe Bernard Hayot, will open its proprietary operations in the UK for Rhum Clément, Bounty Rum, Chairman’s Reserve and Admiral Rodney.

Demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) products continues to grow amongst consumers, with the category expected to account for 8% of total beverage alcohol by 2025 according to a new report from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of online retailer The Whisky Exchange for an undisclosed fee.

Drinks giant Diageo have had their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets, to achieve net-zero direct emissions by 2030, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as meeting the criteria for the 1.5^oC pathway.

Lucas Bols has entered a joint venture with Edrington under the name Maxxium BeLux for distribution in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Pernod Ricard has announced organic sales growth of +9.7% for FY21 totalling €8,824m with increased sales in all regions.

The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky and Bentley Motors have announced a partnership with a key focus on sustainability.

Distill Ventures has committed to increasing diversity within the drinks industry through the launch of a new pre-accelerator programme dedicated to early stage founders from underrepresented groups.

Edrington has reported that pre-tax profit decreased 21% year-on-year to £178.4 million for the year ending 31 March 2021.

Zamora Company has announced a -17.2% drop in turnover in 2020 compared to the previous year.

In 2020, beverage alcohol consumption in the US saw the largest volume gain in nearly 20 years.

The global drinks industry is showing positive signs of recovery and will grow in volume by 2.9% by the end of 2021, according to new IWSR forecasts.

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has reported that net revenues in 2020 remained at 2019 levels despite an 8.4% drop in volumes due to the global pandemic.

US wine imported into the UK could become one of several American products to be levied with new tariffs as part of the ongoing trade war.

Diageo North America has announced Pronghorn, an economic initiative to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in the spirits industry.

Edrington and Beam Suntory have reached an agreement to end their joint-venture distribution businesses in Spain and the UK after more than a decade of partnership.

Lucas Bols has reported an estimated 32% year-on-year decline in revenue for the 2020/21 financial year after widespread on-trade closures and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pernod Ricard’s global sales have seen a 1.7% organic growth for the first nine months of FY21 which totalled €6,941m.

Kirker Greer Spirits has launched in France after securing a deal with wine and spirits importer, Maison Milhade.

Hamburg based Broco-Marken-Import has appointed new members of its global business development team as part of its international focus for expansion.

Premium spirits producer Gordon & MacPhail has appointed Allied Young Fortune Brands as its distribution partner for the South Korean market.

Fever-Tree has announced full year revenue declines of 3% year-on-year for for the financial year ending 31 December 2020.

South African wines and spirits producer Distell International has signed a distribution agreement with French cognac house Camus for China duty free, effective immediately.

Bacardi has appointed Simon Owen as its new managing director for Australia and New Zealand which will be effective from April 1.

ADF&PCD and PLD Paris is launching a digital series of workshops for packaging developers and designers in the premium drinks sector this March.

Diageo has completed the acquisition of Herefordshire-based craft spirits firm Chase Distillery for an undisclosed fee.

Alcohol free wine brand Eisberg is set to be acquired by Schloss Wachenheim AG (SWA) from Halewood Artisanal Spirits.

Pernod Ricard sales for H1 FY21 have shown an organic decline of -3.9% on the previous year largely due to the ongoing struggles of travel retail.

MGP Ingredients has agreed a deal to acquire US spirits company Luxco for a value of $476m in cash and stock.

JW Filshill, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, has acquired Eldorado Tonic Wine as part of its purchase of KB Agencies for an undisclosed sum.

Following the recent election of new president Jaya Singh, TFWA has announced its desire to widen its representation within its affiliate trade associations.

Copenhagen-based flavour company Empirical has appointed Mangrove as its new distributor to grow the sales of its spirits and RTDs portfolio in the UK.

Halewood Artisanal Spirits has announced the appointment of Dr Kirstie McCallum as its new master blender, as the business looks to strengthen its whisky portfolio.

Brands Report editor Hamish Smith explains the methodolgy behind the report's polling system.

A new imports and distribution company has opened in Tel Aviv, Israel called Free Spirits & Co which will focus on the craft spirits market.

With effect from September 30, Kay Engelke-Engfeld will down from his role as managing director global business of BORCO-MARKEN-IMPORT.

With effect from 30 September 2020, Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen, shareholder and family member of the owners of one of European spirits companies Borco-Marken-Import, is leaving the company's management board.

Spirits giant Pernod Ricard has announced a -9.5% sales decline for FY20 due to the impacts of Covid-19 in the on-trade.

Manchester-based Kingsland Drinks will power a new spirits company to provide a portfolio of premium brands to the on and off-trade.