FRANCE: Pernod sales up 21% in Q1
Pernod Ricard, the French drinks giant, reported a 20.8% rise in consolidated sales excluding duty and tax to €1,191m for the first quarter ending 31 March 2002. In a statement, Pernod said the increase was attributable to two contrasting changes, the acquisition of Seagram and the sale of Orangina and San Giorgio Flavors. Excluding currencies (a positive impact of 1.4%) and consolidation changes, organic growth was 4.2%.