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just-drinks.com editor's weekly highlights |
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In This Issue...
You’ve heard it here first. Summer is officially over – at least for those of us in the Northern hemisphere anyway. The sun may be still just about shining here in London, but last week marked the end of the industry’s annual summer slowdown as it rolled up its sleeves and got back to business. Bacardi, in particular, has been busy. The privately-owned spirits giant made a couple of changes to its distribution partnerships here in the UK. First, it sold its stake in First Drinks Brands to its venture partner, UK distiller William Grant. Bacardi also moved to extend its relationship with Brown-Forman in a deal that will see the two companies work together in the UK for five more years. However, the highlight of Bacardi’s busy week was its NZ$138m (US$90m) bid for New Zealand’s upstart distiller 42 Below. The company, best known for its namesake premium vodka, was only founded in 1999 but has managed to build the brand into one of the most in-demand vodkas worldwide through irreverent advertising. Bacardi’s move, approved by 42 Below’s founder and chief executive Geoff Ross, looks to be a win-win situation for both parties. Bacardi gets a premium vodka with great potential and which has been a hit in style bars on both sides of the Atlantic. Sure, it’s only two years since Bacardi paid a whopping US$2bn for Grey Goose and super-premium vodka has proved highly competitive but 42 Below has succeeded due to its cheeky and unique brand proposition. For 42 Below, the company gets capital. 42 Below needs greater financial and distribution muscle and Bacardi will take its vodka into far more markets worldwide. The company will also continue to operate from New Zealand, which is key, as much of the brand’s cachet has come from the country’s clean and fresh image. Meanwhile, in the US, a multinational snapped up another highly successful new kid on the block. PepsiCo paid an undisclosed sum for Colorado’s Izze Beverage Co., a maker of natural, sparkling fruit juices. Izze’s success has been down to its natural ingredients and its products have proved popular in US schools, which are set to crack down on the sale of traditional fizzy drinks. The deal should help Pepsi win back customers who are turning away from sodas to healthier drinks. For more on Bacardi’s imminent acquisition of 42 Below, click here. And for more on Pepsi pouncing for Izze Beverage Co., click here. Until next time... Olly Wehring, Managing Editor Web: www.just-drinks.com
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Just the Answer – David Skalli [OPEN] Like the market around it, the wine industry’s supply chain is evolving rapidly. David Skalli, of Paris and London-based industry consultants Skalli & Rein, talks to just-drinks about the changes and the pressures they are bringing to bear on everyone from logistics companies to wine producers. 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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