Liquor
Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD) names Alok Gupta as new MD
Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD) has hired Alok Gupta as its new managing director and chief executive. He comes from Essar Capital, where he was a partner leading its technology and services vertical. He has over three decades of experience at consumer companies, including Dabur, United Spirits and Cafe Coffee Day.
North to South: On the trail for the cheapest spirits in India
Goa's affordable liquor prices, due to its unique tax structure, have made it a popular destination for budget-conscious travelers. While Goa's tax rates are not the lowest, they are significantly lower than neighboring states like Karnataka and Maharashtra. This has led to significant price variations, with popular Scotch brands costing over 20% more in cities like Mumbai compared to Delhi.
Dos and don'ts for carrying alcohol on domestic flights
Carrying alcohol on domestic flights is permissible as long as you follow specific rules.
Teacher's whisky maker's sales up, but losses widen
Sales rose 54% to ₹1,163 crore during the year to March 2023, compared to ₹756 crore in FY22. Net losses increased to ₹299.7 crore last fiscal against ₹262.3 crore a year ago, as per latest filing with the Registrar of Companies. In FY21, it had net sales of ₹531 crore on net loss of ₹201 crore. In its annual filing, the company said it is on a consumer-insights-led journey to strengthen its core business from the House of Suntory building growth momentum in the premium segments of whisky category in India.
Royal Stag-maker Pernod Ricard faces CCI probe for boosting market share
The Competition Commission of India is investigating Pernod Ricard for colluding with retailers in Telangana to harm competitors, according to regulatory documents. The investigation follows a case filed by Pernod's rival, Radico Khaitan, which alleges that Pernod violated antitrust laws by offering retailers additional discounts and benefits in exchange for not selling Radico's 8PM whisky brand.
Asia is taking over the world’s whisky market despite hurdles
Scotch whisky sales are booming in Asia, with the region surpassing the European Union as the largest buyer of the spirit. This growth comes as sales in established markets such as the US and Europe slow down. Major whiskey producers like Pernod Ricard and Diageo have invested in marketing and promotional events to educate and attract Asian consumers to premium spirits. The strategy has paid off, with Asia becoming the world's biggest consumer of all whiskies. However, potential hurdles like alcohol bans in India or government crackdowns on conspicuous consumption in China could hinder future growth.
UBL appoints Vivek Gupta as its new MD
United Breweries Limited (UBL) has appointed Vivek Gupta as its new managing director and CEO. Gupta, who previously served as the chief business officer, brings over two decades of leadership experience, including a position as managing director of Australia and New Zealand for P&G. He will be responsible for driving sustainable growth and leading the premiumization of UBL's portfolio.
United Breweries appoints Vivek Gupta as MD & CEO
United Breweries, controlled by HEINEKEN, has appointed Vivek Gupta as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, the company said on Thursday. He will focus on premiumising UBL's portfolio and strengthening the iconicity of Kingfisher. Jacco van der Linden, Regional President APAC of HEINEKEN, expressed excitement about Gupta's appointment and praised his ability to build businesses and brands in a fast-paced and complex environment.
G20 Summit: Liquor companies bet on in-home stocking for sales increase ahead of weekend shutdown
Liquor companies are hoping that people in Delhi will have drinks at home when the city shuts down for G20 summit. While bars and restaurants will be affected, the industry expects a rise in consumption in hotels hosting world leaders and delegates for the G20 summit
Plenty of room for domestic, British Scotch whiskies to prosper in India: Scotch Whisky Association
The strong demographic structure and economic growth prospects in India provide opportunities for both Indian and Scotch whiskies to thrive in the country's whisky market, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The proposed reduction in import duty as part of a free trade agreement between India and the UK would not only boost Scotch whisky exports but also provide consumers with more options.
Removal of non-tariff barriers in G20 nations to boost India's alcoholic beverages exports: CIABC
Removal of non-tariff barriers in G20 nations such as minimum maturation condition for whisky will help in increasing exports of alcoholic beverages from India, CIABC said. India has a miniscule share of that pie, accounting for just 0.1 per cent of their imports.
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Liquor worth Rs 759 cr sold by Bevco between Aug 21-30 in Kerala
The liquor sales this year was 8.5 per cent more than last year's Rs 700 crore during the same period, KSBC CMD Yogesh Gupta told PTI.
Scotch maker Chivas Brother reports 27% growth in India in FY23
Chivas Brothers, a leading Scotch whiskey manufacturer, reported a 27% increase in sales in the Indian market in FY23, driven by new Scotch audiences and the premiumization of the market. India emerged as one of the top growing markets for the company, with brands like Glenlivet experiencing strong growth.
Budweiser maker says premium beer labels are giving it a high
AB InBev, the maker of Budweiser, has reported gaining market share and outperforming the beer market in India. The company attributed its success to rising demand for its premium brands such as Hoegaarden and Corona. Rival companies United Breweries and Carlsberg experienced low growth due to supply chain issues and changes in the route-to-market.
FSSAI amends alcoholic beverage norms; says no nutritional info on label except energy content
In the amendment, the FSSAI has also defined single malt whiskey and single grain whiskey. "Alcoholic beverage shall not contain any nutritional information on the label except energy content in kcal. Such declaration related to energy content shall be voluntary," FSSAI said in the regulation.
We have outperformed the market, consistently gained market share: AB InBev
AB InBev said it gained market share and outperformed the beer market due to rising demand for its premium brands. India is the fourth largest market for Budweiser by volume for the American-Belgian parent. AB InBev, which produces one in four beers around the world, generated nearly a third of its sales from premium brands in India two years ago.
