Jameson owner Pernod Ricard posts 'soft start' to year amid declining US and Chinese markets

Just last month, a number of jobs were lost at the Cork-based spirit supplier Irish Distillers following the restructuring of its owner Pernod Ricard Group

Bottles of Jameson whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers Ltd., are seen as they pass along the production line at the Pernod-Ricard SA bottling plant in Dublin, Ireland. Photograph: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg

Declining US and Chinese markets saw drinks group Pernod Ricard post a "soft start" to the year, with the Jameson owner posting a net sales decline of 8% in both regions.

However, the group reinforced its outlook for the year, reiterating its aim for 4-7% organic net sales growth and +50/60bps organic operating margin improvement.