Earlier this week, China Resources Beer, the joint-owner of Snow with SABMiller, released its full-year results for 2015. The company will soon gain full control of Snow after it agreed a deal with Anheuser-Busch InBev this month, so here’s the low-down on the brand and its soon-to-be sole owner, using data from CR Beer’s investors presentation.
- Snow lost 1% in volumes last year but it remains the world’s biggest-selling beer brand by volume, a position it has held since 2008
- Margins increased by 9% as the company managed to move up the value chain
- Some 49% of sales volumes came from the above-mainstream segment, which comprises beers that retail for more than CNY5 (US$0.80) per 50cl. In 2012, the above-mainstream category accounted for 29% of CRB’s volumes
- Snow now has a presence in 24 of China’s 35 regions. CR Snow – the SAB and CRB JV – has added four new breweries in the past 12 months (and lost one), taking its total to 97
- China’s beer market is more fragmented than most, but it is consolidating – in 2005 the top five held a volume share of 47.3%, while in 2014 it was 70.9%
- In 2014, CR Snow boasted a 23% share of volumes in China, ahead of Tsingtao Brewery’s 18.4%. Anheuser-Busch InBev was third with 14% and Beijing Yanjing Brewery fourth with 10.7%. Carlsberg was fifth with 4.6%
- Since 1994, when CR Snow was first set up, the company has enjoyed a compound annual growth rate for turnover of 26%
Has Anheuser-Busch InBev sold CR Snow for too little? – Click here for a just-drinks analysis
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
