Pernod Ricard hails outstanding 13% sales bump

Jameson and Martell maker Pernod Ricard has hailed its 13% half-year sales bump as an “outstanding” performance and confirmed it will achieve double-digit profit growth for the full-year.

The drinks giant, which recently appointed Chivas Regal marketing chief Martin Riley vice-president of marketing, reported “strong” sales of €4.2bn (£3.7bn) in the six months to 31 December which helped increase the group’s net profit by 4% to €625m (£552m).

The company’s “strategic” brands, which include Jacob’s Creek and The Glenlivet as well as Jameson and Martell, grew 1% in volume and 6% in value.

Pierre Printguet, chief executive officer, says organic growth, low borrowing costs and the “successful” integration of Absolut Vodka, which it bought as part of the €5.36bn acquisition of Swedish drinks firm Vin & Spirit last March, “should” see net profit exceed €1bn for the year.

Last month, the company announced Martell marketing director Eric Benoist is to replace Riley as marketing director for whiskey brand Chivas.

Chivas Regal recently rolled out a centralised global digital platform to coincide with a new brand identity after hiring digital creative agency de-construct to develop a new global website for the brand.