Global sales of Guinness surge 9% in last six months

Guinness enjoyed a strong second half to 2015, with year-on-year sales growth of 5% being noted in Ireland and the iconic stout’s global sales jumping by 9%.

The six months to the end of December — the first half of parent group Diageo’s financial year — saw strong progress for the group’s Irish brands, with Baileys Irish Cream returning to growth in Europe on the back of increased consumer sampling campaigns.

“Our Guinness volume share is now at 34.5% in the on-trade in the Republic, which means more than one in every three pints sold in the pub is a Guinness brand,” said Diageo Ireland country manager Oliver Loomes.