Sales of Jameson up by 2%

GLOBAL sales of Jameson Irish Whiskey rose by 2% on a year-on-year basis during the three-month period to the end of September, the first quarter of parent company Pernod Ricard’s financial year.

Although the French drinks giant doesn’t break out results for its subsidiary companies (including Jameson’s direct owner, Irish Distillers) on a quarterly basis; it did say that organic sales of €520 million for its European operations represented an 11% year-on-year decline, with the region being the most affected by the economic downturn and lowering consumer spending patterns.

The group added that in western Europe “the situation remained difficult in most markets” although areas like Sweden and Portugal enjoyed growth.

Overall, total group sales totalled €1.64bn for the quarter – down by 4% on the same period last year; although in line with the company’s expectations.

The spirits division saw a like-for-like sales drop of 2%, but the wine and champagne division fell by 13%.

As well as Jameson, sales rises were evident for brands such as Martell cognac, Havana Club and Ricard; but the Absolut vodka brand suffered a 7% year-on-year sales decline.