JAPAN: Suntory poised for Russia assault - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 31 August 2006

Japanese drinks group Suntory plans to start selling a raft of spirits brands in Russia, according to local reports.

Suntory has teamed up with Moscow based distributor Veld21 and plans to start selling the brands in October, a report from the Nikkei Report news agency said yesterday (30 August).

Products from Suntory's key spirits subsidiaries, including UK Scotch distiller Morrison Bowmore and Cognac producer Louis Royer, will be central to the expansion into Russia, the report added.

Suntory is also reportedly planning to roll out flagship Japanese whisky Hibiki into Russia and hopes the brand will contribute to its sales target of JPY200m (US$1.8m) this year.

Sectors: Spirits

Companies: Suntory, Morrison Bowmore