Growth hopes

By: Chris Brook-Carter - 18 September 2003 17:15

A number of drinks companies have been displaying a trait missing from much of the industry in the last 24 months, optimism - albeit cautious. In particular, optimism that the US economic environment is making a return to conditions favourable for growth.

The latest AC Neilsen figures, which were passed on to me by a US colleague earlier this week, certainly seem to point in the right direction. Nielsen figures measuring overall spirits sales in off-premise/retail outlets through to the end of June show total volume increased by 2.2% in the preceding 52 weeks.

But it was the summer that was most encouraging. Nielsen data showed that sales were 5.0% higher than during the same 13-week period last year. The latest 13-week numbers show that rum (up 8.4%), Tequila (up 8.2%), vodka (up 6.1%), and Bourbon (up 3.3%) were category growth leaders.