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.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has announced a -17% loss in sales in the first half of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has sold its Polish shares of the company to United Beverages Group having seen -€9.3m in sales in 2019.

Fever-Tree has acquired German import company Global Drinks Partnership after seven years working together to further grow its presence in Europe.

Pernod Ricard has released a revised outlook for the 2020 financial year in light of the effects that COVID-19 is having on the drinks industry.

Campari Group has donated €1m to public healthcare institution ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco in Milan, centre of national excellence in the research and treatment of highly contagious and dangerous diseases.

The Benevolent charity has been renamed The Drinks Trust and carries a new logo, website and objectives for the foreseeable future.

Premium Italian spirits company Illva Saronno, best known for producing Disaronno and Tia Maria, has announced plans to launch its own UK subsidiary, Disaronno International UK.

In light of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, Vinexpo Hong Kong has been postponed until 8-10 July 2020.

Eggers & Franke Group, Bremen, has signed a new deal for the distribution of cava brand Codorníu in Germany from April 1 onwards.

Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse has insisted that the Hong Kong show is still scheduled to go ahead despite fears over the Coronavirus.

Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse plans to launch a standalone spirits show assuming the upcoming Vinexpo instalments are a success.

Five leading figures from the UK drinks scene have joined forces to create Sip and Savour, a strategic brand development and distribution business dedicated to launching and growing drinks brands internationally.

Diageo has reported increased profits for the six months ended 31 December 2019 with a 4.2% rise in reported net sales.

Cask Liquid Marketing has appointed Claire West as managing director following her role as head of prestige at Pernod Ricard.

Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse said the new joint venture with Comexposium will make it the number one wine and spirits events company in the world.

Global event organiser Comexposium and Vinexpo have entered into exclusive negotiations to create a new joint venture entity.

A renewed focus on in store experience and a revamped product range has seen growth of 4.3% at Majestic Wine for the final quarter of 2019.

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) will move the Summit of the Americas from Orlando to Palm Beach, Florida in 2021.

Global spirits group Amber Beverage Group has completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Austrian distribution and wholesaler company Mountain Spirits.

New York-based Stoli Group USA has been given a $42m asset-based credit loan by Citizens Commercial Banking.

Pernod Ricard has completed the acquisition of Castle Brands by a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard SA, through a cash tender offer followed by a short-form merger.

The Campari Group has bought the controlling interest from a group of Mexican entrepreneurs, in Licorera Ancho Reyes and spicy liqueur and Montelobos mezcal.

Emilio Restoy, Zamora Company CEO and vice president of the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), has spoken on President Donald Trump's measure of imposing heavy tariffs on certain European products including wine.

Pernod Ricard has reported sales of €9,182m (6% organic growth) for the  full year 2018/19 plus +8.7% organic growth in PRO (proft on recurring operations.

Pernod Ricard, has announced the official breaking ground on the site of China’s first malt whisky distillery in Sichuan province, the first distillery from an international spirits and wine group.

Earlier this summer trade union Unite Scotland said it would ballot members working for Diageo in Scotland for strike action following a dispute over pay.

Diageo has announced the acquisition of a significant majority shareholding in Seedlip, which is claimed to be the world’s first distilled, non-alcoholic, spirits brand.

Diageo has announced that it is moving its global headquarters from Park Royal, north west London, to Soho in London in 2021.

Bacardi global chief marketing officer for Patrón and Grey Goose Lee Applbaum will leave the company after six years at the company.

Corticeira Amorim, the world’s largest producer of cork wine closures, has bought a 50% share in Vinolok, the producer of glass and crystal closures.

Bacardí and Brown-Forman have decided to end their distribution deal in the UK after more than a decade working together.

Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company has reported net sales of £12.9bn, increased 5.8% with organic growth partially offset by acquisitions and disposals.

Wine brands Ramon Bilbao, Cruz de Alba, Mar de Frades albariño and Villa Massa limoncello will join the join Zamora Company USA portfolio effective August 1, 2019.

Edrington has appointed Francois Saurel as the new regional managing director for Asia Pacific, effective from July.

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) board of directors has elected Rene Riedi as its new chair.

The board of directors of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has appointed Michael Saunders as its new chair following Dan Jago’s three-year term in the role. 

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has completed the 100% purchase of the UK-based drinks distributor, Cellar Trends.

Hillhouse Capital Management, a global investment firm which describes itself as focusing on “innovative businesses in growth industries”, has bought scotch whisky producer, the Loch Lomond Group, from Exponent Private Equity.

Pernod Ricard has announced the signing of an agreement with Biggar & Leith for the acquisition of the Italian super-premium gin brand Malfy.

Leading Nordic alcoholic brands company Altia and the Danish spirit company Conaxess Trade Beverages will enter in a strategic collaboration as of 20 May 2019.

International drinks company Toorank has announced that CEO Natal da Graça and CCO Henny Tadema have taken ownership control of the company following Toon Blij’s retirement from the board.

Independent drinks producer and distributor Global Brands has reported a 19.5% increase in total sales, taking turnover to more than £50m for the financial year ending 30 September 2018.

Show organisers, Vinexpo, has announced that  Rodolphe Lameyse will take up his post as its new chief executive officer of the Vinexpo group on April 16.

Premium mixer brand Fever-Tree has announced a 40% revenue growth for the year ended for 31 December 2018.