Strong sales of Guinness helps Diageo profits rise

A STRONG showing from Guinness in the Irish market has helped drive first-half performance at parent company Diageo.

Net sales of the black stuff in its home market grew 2%, year-on-year, in the six months to the end of December.

In the 12 months to last June — Diageo’s last full financial year — Guinness saw its first sales rise in Ireland for eight years, rising that year by 2.3%.