Spirits-, beer-, wine-maker sees strong growth in super-, ultra-premium brands
Diageo plc, London, reported interim financial results for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2013. Following 2.2 percent growth in the first quarter, net sales grew 1.8 percent in the first half of the fiscal year, supported by 4.6 percent growth in North America, the company reports. Sales in emerging markets also were up 1.3 percent, but were negatively impacted by weakness in China and Nigeria, and sales in Western Europe were down 1 percent, continuing the improvement trend seen in the first quarter.
Among specific product categories, Diageo’s super- and ultra-premium brands experienced strong growth at 18.5 percent, the company reports. Beer was the only category in its portfolio that experienced a decline — down 2.6 percent — predominantly because of weakness in Nigeria and Ireland, it reports.