DIAGEO
From spirits to simplification: Diageo India to slim down Mallya-era overseas subsidiaries for a better high
Diageo first bought a stake in USL in 2012, taking its holding to a majority by the following year. Mallya stepped down from USL in 2016 and left India that year amid loan repayment troubles at Kingfisher Airlines. At the time, USL had nearly two dozen subsidiaries, joint ventures and associate companies, half of them in the UK, where Mallya has currently exiled himself.
A third of the 30 fastest growing spirits brands in the world are Indian, says new report
While Iconiq White Whisky by Allied Blenders and Distillers sold 1.6 million cases in 2023 to top the list, it's not just whisky brands that are performing well. Three brandy brands - Courier Napoleon and Mansion House brandy by Tilaknagar Industries, Radico Khaitan's brandy Morpheus, vodka brand Magic Moments and rum 1965 – are from India, indicating that spirits trends are diverse.
From party ender to party soul: Tequila now fastest-growing alcohol segment in India
Tequila, once a party staple involving a lick of salt, a shot, and a lime wedge, is evolving. It's now sipped neat, on the rocks, with soda, or in diverse cocktails, becoming India's fastest-growing alcohol segment. Sales nearly doubled to 123,000 cases in the last year and have more than tripled since 2019, driven by changing drinking habits and new product launches.
Liquor demand still dull, could pick up soon: United Spirits
"On the demand front, the growth has moderated from two years ago. And at the lower end, we continue to see some pressure. Moderation was there during the wedding season, and so growth is continuing to be slower," the company's managing director and chief executive Hina Nagarajan told analysts during an earnings call.
United Spirits Q4 Results: Net profit jumps twofold to Rs 241 crore
Diageo-controlled liquor maker United Spirits Ltd on Friday reported a two-fold increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 241 crore for the March quarter.
Hic! Hic! Hurray: How Indian single malt whiskies are increasingly finding global cheer
Once an unheard-of category in international markets, Indian single malts are now commanding a premium for their artisanal and limited-edition whiskies. What has led to the turn of the tide in this fiercely competitive segment?
India Inc helping more wonder women get C-suite superpowers
At Accenture, 29% of the leaders in India are women. Diageo India has 30% women in senior leadership. In the last few years, Marico's efforts have pushed women into close to 30% of leadership roles. PepsiCo is looking at 40% women in the India leadership team by next year. Larsen & Toubro handpicked 495 women employees to undergo leadership development programmes in the last few years.
Spirits market in India is surging at a record pace: Main factors and trends
After the low during the pandemic when the spirits market shrank to 311 million cases in FY21, it recovered swiftly to add about 100 million cases in annual sales in just three years, reaching 412 million cases in FY24, industry executives said, citing latest excise department data.
Bacardi high on premiumisation of portfolio in India
According to industry body Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, alcobev drinks priced over ₹1,000 have grown four times faster than those under ₹500 in calendar 2023. CIABC director general Vinod Giri attributed the increasing trend of premiumisation to a combination of factors.
Diageo India signs MoU with SCPwD to train students under ‘Learning for Life’ programme
Alcobev maker Diageo India (United Spirits) partners with the Skill Council for People with Disabilities (SCPwD) to train 300 Persons with Disability (PwDs) under its ‘Learning for Life’ programme. The initiative aims to champion inclusion and diversity, aligning with Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress goals. Certified trainers will conduct residential training programmes in SCPwD-affiliated centres across India, preparing students for roles in business and hospitality. The programme focuses on overcoming employment barriers and providing equal access to resources and employment opportunities.
Amrut: Investors want to raise a toast amid single malt whiskey wave and global cheers
Amrut Distilleries, a key player in the Indian single malt whiskey industry, is seeing increased interest from investors but remains focused on organic growth. With plans to boost exports and expand market share, Amrut aims to capitalise on the rising demand for premium spirits in India. Despite competition from global brands entering the market, Amrut is optimistic about the growth potential for Indian single malt whiskey and is gearing up for further expansion.
Jack Daniel’s maker names Gaurav Sabharwal as MD for India, South Asia
Based out of Gurgaon, Sabharwal will report to Eveline Albarracin, vice-president and managing director of Brown-Forman ANZPI (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands), IMENA (India, Middle East, North Africa) and Turkiye, the US spirits and wine maker said.
How women are changing India's spirits consumption narrative, explains Diageo India MD Hina Nagarajan
Women are transforming the Indian spirits industry, particularly at the premium end, by accounting for 40% of the demand in the luxury segment and 64% of the new growth in single malt sales. This shift is driven by women's higher repertoire share of flavor forward and versatility requirements. Diageo has increased its focus on women consumers in India, despite the lack of safe places for women to enter liquor shops or bars.
Wine, spirits importers urge states for inflation-linked pricing policy as margins shrink
The International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI) is advocating for an inflation-based pricing model for alcoholic beverages, citing a significant rise in raw material costs. According to ISWAI CEO Nita Kapoor, industry margins have diminished due to the surge in material prices, leaving little for manufacturers and traders after state governments claim a substantial portion (60-80%) of liquor sales.
United Spirits gets Rs 4.47 cr tax demand from Maharashtra state authorities
The state tax authority has demanded Rs 1.21 crore as MVAT, including a penalty of Rs 1 lakh, and Rs 3.26 crore as CST. "Deputy Commissioner, State Tax has levied demand on non-submission of statutory declaration forms and disallowed an element of input tax credit," it said.
Diageo, AB InBev say prepared for disruptions during elections
Diageo and AB InBev are confident in navigating sales and supply chain disruptions during the upcoming general elections in India, which typically involve temporary restrictions on alcohol sales.
ET Awards for Corporate Excellence: Patiala peg or not, than Diageo's Hina Nagarajan for the toast India raising is premium
Under her, the company renovated Signature and Royal Challenge Whisky, launched Royal Challenge American Pride Whisky, entered Indian malt with Godawan and invested in Nao Spirits, the makers of Hapusa and Greater Than Gin. It also seeded Guinness, Diageo’s iconic beer brand, in line with the potential of the premium beer segment. These initiatives accelerated USL’s growth to double-digit levels at nearly 20%, three times higher than the historical rates of growth.
India's love of homegrown single malts shakes up Pernod, Diageo
Sugarcane and mustard fields, not peat bogs, ring the distillery, where the two-year-old Indian brand's owner Piccadily is ramping up production and building a three-hole golf course to lure connoisseurs and tipplers in the whisky-loving nation.
Pernod Ricard bets India will bottoms up to the top
The company controls about a fourth of the overall whisky market in India despite a negligible presence in the mass segment and gets a significant chunk from premium and semi-premium brands, mainly Blenders Pride, Royal Stag and Imperial Blue. The distiller also owns India's highest selling Scotch 100 Pipers with sales of over 1.5 million cases annually. The company, however, has been increasingly facing competition from Diageo, Beam Suntory and homegrown players such as Amrut and John Distillers in the pricier segments.
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