SAB Miller’s UK premium beers outpace market
SAB Miller, owner of the Peroni and Pilsner Urquell brands, says the growth of its premium beers outperformed the declining UK market last year.
Miller Brands, the global brewers’ UK operation, posted organic volume growth of 17% in the 12 months to 31 March.
It adds that its “key” brands, Czech beer Pilsner Urquell and Italian drink Peroni Nastro Azzurro, registered volume growth of 22% and 29% respectively.
The company claims the UK premium beer market declined by 2% in the same period.
The drinks producer launched a campaign for Peroni to push the brand’s Italian heritage last year. It has also launched several joint initiatives with Italian fashion designer Antonio Berardi in the past 12 months.
It also developed golf-themed activity to support Pilsner Urquell’s sponsorship of Golf’s The Open Championship.
Miller Brands managing director, Nick Miller says the performance of Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell shows that consumers “still want to treat themselves to affordable luxuries”.
The company is looking to increase its 6% share of the UK premium lager market and is considering launching one of its global premium beers to expand its portfolio.
Globally, SAB Miller says pre-tax profit dropped 1% to $2.9bn (£2.03bn).
