Sales of Jameson up 15% in year to June

SALES OF Jameson whiskey grew by 15 per cent globally in the 12 months to June, its highest growth rate in the last decade, according to figures released yesterday by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard. Fiona Reddanreports.

Jameson, the flagship brand of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, increased the value of its sales by 21 per cent while also achieving double-digit growth in 44 markets and sales volumes of 2.6 million cases. The firm increased its spending by 30 per cent to €65 million globally over the past year.

In the US, the brand reported sales growth of 24 per cent, while sales of Jameson also grew in other key markets including Russia (+36 per cent), Eastern Europe (+37 per cent), Portugal (+15 per cent), travel retail (+20 per cent) and South Africa (+18 per cent).

The brand enjoyed strong double-digit growth in Ireland against a "slowing . . . more competitive Irish market". The brand's Reserve Range, including the Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve which retails for €400, also reported double-digit growth.

Alexandre Ricard, who was appointed chairman and chief executive of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard on July 1st, said the next milestone for the firm was to achieve sales of three million cases of Jameson in 2010.

Irish Distillers' other key brands also performed well over the past year. Sales of West Coast Cooler increased by 15 per cent, as it benefited from marketing to females. The company's champagne brands, Mumm and Perrier Jouet, also performed well, almost doubling sales from a low base.

Irish Distillers' French parent, Pernod Ricard, the world's second largest wine and spirits group behind Diageo, also reported its annual results. It increased sales by 2.3 per cent to € 6.6 billion and growth of its 15 strategic brands, including Jameson, increased by 11 per cent in value and 5 per cent in volume.