just-drinks authors and correspondents

Biography

A trained newspaper journalist, Richard Woodard was editor of the drinks trade magazine Wine & Spirit International from 2000 to 2005, responsible for writing, commissioning and producing a broad range of business-related content relevant to the international drinks industry.

He now works freelance and is a regular contributor to just-drinks.com, Decanter, The Spirits Business, The Drinks Business and Imbibe, among others.

Columns by Richard Woodard

Comment - Spirits (White) - A Word with Woodard

Resident columnist and spirits know-it-all Richard Woodard provides his monthly take on the latest in the global white spirits industry.

Articles by Richard Woodard

Brown-Forman Performance Trends 2016-2020 - results data 9 July 2020

In early-June, Brown-Forman posted a flat set of sales numbers for the 12 months to the end of April 2020. The top-line rise of 3% registered in the first nine months of fiscal-2020 was followed by a 10% dive in the final quarter of the year. Here, just-drinks considers the group's performance in fiscal-2020 and over the preceding four years.

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Remy Cointreau Performance Trends 2016-2020 - results data 3 July 2020

In late-April, Rémy Cointreau reported an 11.2% decline in full-year sales for the 12 months to the end of March 2020. The figures were skewed somewhat by Remy's strategy of winding down its 'Partner Brands' operations. Here, just-drinks considers the group's performance over the last five years.

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How white spirits is trying to ride the hard seltzer craze - comment 25 June 2020

While brewers have been racing to enter hard seltzer, spirits brand owners have been slower to jump in, with some preferring to push their existing offerings' seltzer-related cues. Category commentator Richard Woodard considers how successful they've been, so far.

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Concha y Toro Performance Trends 2015-19 - results data 17 June 2020

In mid-March, Concha y Toro posted a 7% rise in full-year sales from the 12 months of 2019. The performance was driven by exports of the group's Chilean wine brands while domestic sales were hampered by social unrest towards the end of the year. Here, just-drinks considers the group's performance over the last five years.

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Constellation Brands Performance Trends 2016-2020 - results data 3 June 2020

In April, Constellation Brands reported its results for the 12 months to the end of February. Sales in fiscal-2020 were up 3% on the corresponding period a year earlier, a less impressive performance than the +7% posted in fiscal-2020. Here, just-drinks considers Constellation's performance over the last five years.

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Why the spirits category offers hope for the on-premise - comment 26 May 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated the on-premise around the world, with lockdowns leading to zero sales and furloughed staff in the channel. Those pubs and bars that will still be around as lockdown eases, however, could see consumers' stronger relationship with spirits provide a healthier - and sustainable - future. Spirits commentator Richard Woodard explains.

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Campari Group Performance Trends 2015-2019 - results data 21 May 2020

In mid-February, Campari Group reported a near-6% lift in full-year sales from the 12 months of 2019. The top-line performance was in line with the year prior, with 2018 sales growing by 5.3%. Here, just-drinks considers Campari's performance over the last five years.

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Molson Coors Beverage Co Performance Trends 2015-2019 - results data 13 May 2020

In mid-February, Molson Coors Beverage Co released its full-year results for 2019. The group posted flat sales for the 12 months on a 3.5% decline in volumes. Here, just-drinks considers Molson Coors' performance over the last five years.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev Performance Trends 2015-2019 - results data 30 April 2020

In late-February, Anheuser-Busch InBev released its full-year results for 2019. The brewing giant posted a 4.3% lift in sales from the year in organic terms, with volumes inching up by 1.1%. Here, just-drinks considers A-B InBev's performance over the last five years.

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Why the gin category has Fever-Tree to thank for breaking the US - comment 30 April 2020

The hunt for good news at the moment is proving quite the challenge, but spirits commentator Richard Woodard for one is feeling positive. Whisper it, but could high-end gin finally be about to make it big in the US?