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just-drinks.com editor's weekly highlights |
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In This Issue...
There were conflicting noises coming from the world’s beer giants about their fortunes in China last week. Heineken and InBev were both relatively downbeat about conditions in the world’s largest beer market as they announced their first-half results. However, Tsingtao and China Resources Snow Breweries, which hold the number one and number two spot in China respectively, both signalled their confidence in the market. For its part, Heineken revealed that, although its operations in China were close to breaking even, the very low price of beer and “chronic” over-capacity meant the market remained “very tough”. InBev, meanwhile, attacked the “aggressive” price competition of its rivals in China for what it deemed a disappointing performance during the first half of the year. Nevertheless, Tsingtao, in which Anheuser-Busch owns a 27% stake, forecast strong growth during the second half of the year in the country. Its nearest rival, SABMiller’s local venture CR Snow, enjoyed its own buoyant first-half on the back of soaring sales of the Snow brand. Despite China’s undoubted promise, pricing remains a key issue and seems to be the critical factor in determining a brewer’s market share in key provinces. The big brewers talk of the potential of the growth of more premium brands in China but, save for in a few major cities, the average beer drinker can only afford cheaper, local brands. The low price of beer may be an obstacle to profitability in China but multinationals would do well to realise that the market is not ready for a thriving premium segment. Pushing mainstream brands, like Tsingtao and Snow, throughout the whole of China has won their owners share – albeit, perhaps, at the expense of profits – but has given those brewers a strong, more national foothold for when consumers can afford to trade up on a wider scale. Heineken and InBev have built strongholds in the south and east of the country but it seems their regional focus has left them slightly off the pace in the race to capture the long-term growth in China. In the soft drinks world, meanwhile, Coke announced an interesting portfolio extension last week, with the impending launch of Far Coast and Chaqwa hot coffees and teas. The project – known as Operation Buzz – has been pretty exhaustive, having been started in 2001. The new brands will initially launch in Canada, with plans for expansion to Norway and Singapore. There’s even talk that the two could hit the US in coming months. Any brand extension should do Coke the power of good, having seen Pepsi steal a leap of late. And, with the creation of new dedicated machinery, it’s unlikely that Coke will go into this half-heartedly. But to call the high street tea and coffee sector cut-throat is putting it mildly. Starbucks’ strategy has been well-documented, and if Coke is hoping to get a share of this lucrative - but fragmented - market, it’s set up a tantalising face-off. Let battle commence. For more on the brewers’ efforts in China, click here, here and here. For more on Cokes’ coffees and teas, click here. Until next time... Olly Wehring, Managing Editor Web: www.just-drinks.com
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Vladivar tunes into music scene in bands promo [MEM] In a bid to raise its profile with younger urban drinkers, the UK vodka brand Vladivar is looking to assist bands as they seek to make their way in the music business. David Robertson reports on a marketing initiative which breaks new ground in the already vibrant area of tailored on-premise promotion. Related Stories Latest jobs
September’s briefing provides an overview of the Indian drinks industry, covering the following sectors: wine, spirits and beer industry, soft drinks, milk and dairy based beverages, fruit juice, packaged water, tea and coffee.
It reviews trade regulations, current trends, future developments and major players in the market, such as international players Cobra, Heineken and Foster’s move into the India beer market to gain a slice of the action.
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