just the round-up - The week in drinks

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 30 May 2008

The top ten most visited stories on just-drinks this week:

CEDC completes Whitehall purchase

UK: CEDC closes acquisition in Whitehall Group

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has closed its acquisition of a 49.9% voting interest and a 75% economic interest in the Whitehall Group.

SABMiller on InBev's target list?

UK: SABMiller rises on InBev merger reports

The UK-listed brewer SABMiller saw its share index soar 6% this morning (27 May) following reports that InBev had considered making a bid for it.

Diageo teams Guinness, Bushmills with Lions

UK: Diageo announces Lions sponsorship

Diageo brands, Guinness and Bushmills, have been announced as commercial partners of the British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa in 2009.

The Famous Grouse brings Black Grouse to UK

UK: The Black Grouse launches in the UK

The Famous Grouse is launching its Swedish best seller The Black Grouse in the UK from June, the company said today (28 May).

Otsuka buys into Alma

JAPAN: Otsuka invests in French mineral water company

Otsuka Pharmaceutical has signed an agreement to purchase a 49% stake in Alma, which produces Cristaline, France's leading bottled mineral water brand.

The Coca-Cola Co. upbeat on 2008

US: Coca-Cola Co expresses confidence in Q2 results

The Coca-Cola Co has expressed continued confidence in the company's global business outlook for the second quarter and full year 2008.

Coca-Cola Enterprises downbeat on Q2

US: Coca-Cola Enterprises warns of tough outlook

Coca-Cola Enterprises is expecting a mid to high single-digit drop in its comparable second quarter earnings per share as a result of the weak American economy.

Pernod Ricard looks for Absolut flavour reduction

FRANCE: Absolut set to drop flavours - Pernod

The prospective head of Pernod Ricard has warned that there could be a reduction in the number of flavoured editions of the Absolut vodka brand going forward.

InBev looks for India presence uplift

INDIA: InBev confirms India footprint growth

InBev has confirmed that it is in talks to up its presence in India.

Purchase only way to grow Champagne - Pernod Ricard

FRANCE: Acquisition "the only way" to grow Champagne - Pernod CEO

The head of Pernod Ricard has suggested that the French group may look to acquire extra vines or wines in the Champagne region going forward.

Sectors: Beer & cider, Soft drinks, Spirits, Water, Wine

Companies: InBev, CEDC, SABMiller, Diageo, Guinness, Coca-Cola Co, The Famous Grouse, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Pernod, Absolut, Ricard