Sales growth at Pernod Ricard

Sales at French wine and spirits group Pernod Ricard, the parent of Irish Distillers, rose by 27.4 per cent to A917.8 million (£722.8 million) in the first quarter to March 31st, 2000. Irish Distillers and distribution division BWG had a "very strong first quarter in line with the group results", said Mr Richard Burrows, executive chairman of Irish Distillers.