V&S Group

FRANCE: Pernod Ricard silent on Vin & Sprit brands sale

9 Sep 2009

Pernod Ricard has declined to comment on a report out of Sweden that the group is to sell off all Vin & Sprit brands apart from Absolut vodka.

FRANCE: Pernod Ricard sells V&S spirits to Arcus, Gronstedt to Altia

1 Apr 2009

Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of three ex-Vin & Sprit brands to Arcus Gruppen, but competition concerns have forced the drinks giant to remove Gronstedt Cognac from the deal and sell to Altia instead.

SWEDEN: Vin & Sprit Absolut president to stand down

1 Apr 2009

The president of Vin & Sprit Absolut has announced his intention to step down from the post later this year.

FRANCE: Pernod Ricard sells V&S brands

18 Dec 2008

Pernod Ricard has signed a deal with Norway's Arcus Gruppen to sell several drinks brands acquired as part of its takeover of Vin & Sprit.

UK: Vin & Sprit sues Absolute Radio

14 Oct 2008

Vin & Sprit, the owner of Swedish vodka brand Absolut has launched legal proceedings against UK radio station Absolute Radio for infringement of its trademark.

FRANCE: Pernod Ricard closes Vin & Sprit purchase

24 Jul 2008

Pernod Ricard has announced it has completed its €5.69bn acquisition of Absolut vodka owner Vin & Sprit, after receiving the green light from EU competition authorities.

GLOBAL: Pernod Ricard ordered to sell ahead of V&S purchase closure

18 Jul 2008

Pernod Ricard has been set a selection of hoops to jump through ahead of the closure of its acquisition of Vin & Sprit.

BELGIUM: Pernod V&S purchase suffers EC decision delay

30 Jun 2008

The European Commission has delayed its decision on Pernod Ricard's proposed acquisition of Vin & Sprit.

US: Vin & Sprit readies Cruzan Guava for US

22 May 2008

Vin & Sprit has unveiled an addition to its Cruzan flavoured rum portfolio in the US.

US: Court dismisses Fortune V&S injunction - report

20 May 2008

A New York court has dismissed Fortune Brand’s claim for an injunction to prevent the transfer of a minority stake in its Beam Global Spirits & Wine unit to the Swedish government by Vin & Sprit, according to reports.

SWEDEN: Fortune offers below V&S asking price for stake

16 May 2008

Fortune is believed to have offered US350m for Vin & Sprit’s 10% stake in Beam Global, according to reports.

SWEDEN: Fortune legal action won't delay V&S sale - report

14 May 2008

The court action embarked upon by Fortune Brands to stop a 10% stake in its Beam Global Brands subsidiary passing from V&S to the Swedish state will not delay the sale of V&S to Pernod Ricard, a government spokesperson has said.

UK: Vin & Sprit defeat keeps Beam Global’s “powder” dry - CEO

16 Apr 2008

The head of Beam Global Spirits & Wine has said the company has “a lot of dry powder”, and will consider other acquisitions following its failure to capture Vin & Sprit earlier this month.

US: V&S faces Mexican stand-off in US

8 Apr 2008

Vin & Sprit has moved to stave off a possible boycott of Absolut vodka in the US, by pulling a controversial advert in neighbouring Mexico.

ITALY: Davide Campari-Milano eyes V&S seconds

8 Apr 2008

Davide Campari-Milano would consider buying brands that Pernod Ricard might sell off following its acquisition of Vin & Sprit, according to an interview with the Italian company's CEO.

US: Vin & Sprit targets US gay community with Absolut ads

8 Apr 2008

Vin & Sprit has unveiled a promotional push for its Absolut vodka brand that specifically targets the gay community in the US.

GLOBAL: “Business as usual” at Maxxium, despite V&S sale

2 Apr 2008

Maxxium has said that “nothing will change” at the distributor, following this week’s announcement that Pernod Ricard is to buy Vin & Sprit.

In the Spotlight - Pernod Ricard, Vin & Sprit - questions, questions

1 Apr 2008

Pernod Ricard's victory in the race to buy Vin & Sprit has sent shockwaves across the global spirits industry, whilst also throwing up a vast array of questions. In a spotlight special, Jessica Harvey picks through the finer details of the deal to find answers to those questions. Esewhere on the just-drinks site, Olly Wehring talks to Tom Flocco, president and CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, who had been everyone's hot favourite to win V&S's hand.

BREAKING NEWS: Pernod Ricard wins race for Vin & Sprit

31 Mar 2008

Pernod Ricard has won the auction for Vin & Sprit, beating Fortune Brands to the Absolut vodka trademark.

US: Fortune “didn’t see appropriate return” in Vin & Sprit

31 Mar 2008

Fortune Brands has said that it will launch a “high-return” share programme, in light of its failure to acquire Vin & Sprit.

SWEDEN: Vin & Sprit sees "logic" in Pernod purchase

31 Mar 2008

Vin & Sprit has welcomed today’s (31 March) announcement that Pernod Ricard is set to take control of the Swedish company.

10 things you should know about... Vin & Sprit

31 Mar 2008

10 things you should know about... Vin & Sprit

SWEDEN: Vin & Sprit sale going “according to plan” - Government

28 Mar 2008

The sale of the Swedish state-owned makers of Absolut Vodka, Vin & Sprit, is progressing “according to plan”, as speculation mounts that a buyer will be named in the coming weeks.

SWEDEN: Bacardi to follow Fortune in V&S split plan?

27 Mar 2008

Bacardi is the latest major drinks company thought to have teamed up with a local private equity firm, in its hopes to win the auction for Sweden’s Vin & Sprit group.

US: Fortune Brands silent on Vin & Sprit sale split talk

26 Mar 2008

Fortune Brands has refused to be drawn on speculation claiming the company has taken a partner in its bid to acquire Vin & Sprit.

SWEDEN: V&S bidders get second deadline

19 Mar 2008

The deadline for the second round of bids for Vin & Sprit (V&S) has been set.

SWEDEN: V&S Golden Gate appeal rejected

10 Mar 2008

Vin & Sprit has lost its appeal against The Wine Group subsidiary Golden State Vintners over the use of the Golden Gate trademark in Sweden.

GLOBAL: V&S gets 'Visionary' for Absolut

29 Feb 2008

Vin & Sprit has launched an initiative for its Absolut vodka brand involving media, arts and entertainment luminaries as part of its ‘In an Absolut World’ campaign in the US.

SWEDEN: Vin & Sprit completes site evacuation

21 Feb 2008

Vin & Sprit has completed the clearance of one of its Swedish facilities, with its Cognac production moving to Cognac, France.

SWEDEN: Fortune Brands favourite to pick up Vin & Sprit - sources

19 Feb 2008

Fortune Brands is the favourite of four remaining candidates to buy state-owned Vin & Sprit, according to sources in Stockholm.