2010 Carbonated Soft Drinks in the U.S.
A comprehensive study examining trends and top companies' strategies, providing up-to-date statistics and detailed analysis of leading brands, packaging, channels of distribution, regional markets, pricing, demographics, advertising and future forecasts.
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This week, just-drinks is coming to you live from the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes. Already, I've cursed my memory (forgot sunglasses), French computer keyboards (this took three hours to type), and my bad timing (I'll be back home by the time Mika takes to the stage on Thursday evening).
Still, onwards and upwards.
I'm here on La Croisette for the next three days and I'm looking forward to gauging the mood within the travel retail sector. The channel has historically operated in something of a bubble for years now – when you're exclusively handling ultra-premium products, you can be forgiven for not seeing the storm outside. But no one has been immune from the downturn, and it's more a case of comparing degrees of damage.
So, if you're here, drop me an email and let's meet up so you can show off your scars. Or, if you have any thoughts on the matter as our travel retail guru, Joe Bates, shared his last week, then feel free to sound off on our forums.
To the halls.
Meanwhile, back at home, Diageo's long-fabled desire to buy Moet Hennessy is back in the rumour mill. The Guinness brewer last week cheered analysts by reporting a buoyant first quarter of trading, while Moet Hennessy's parent group, LVMH, announced more strong Cognac sales in China and a rebound in the performance of its Champagne operations in its third quarter.
Diageo is sitting pretty on a mountain of cash – in the region of GBP2bn (US$3.09bn) at the end of its most recent fiscal year. It already owns 34% of Moet Hennessy and has two holes in its portfolio where a market-leading Champagne and Cognac should be. Asia's thirst for Cognac has highlighted the disparity between Diageo's lack of activity in this area and the strong gains made by rival Pernod Ricard with Martell.
It has always been assumed that the stumbling block to a deal was LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault. In the past, there has not been a compelling case made for Arnault seeking a sale. What makes the rumours different this time around is that they coincide with speculation that LVMH is eyeing a bid for Hermès. LVMH might be tempted to sell Moet Hennessy, then, to raise cash for Hermès.
For now, though, one gets the impression that investment bankers are touting for business.
Until next time...
Olly Wehring
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-drinks.com
Email: editor@just-drinks.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/just_drinks
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