Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits reports second quarter revenue rose 7.5%, largely a result of its international cluster which grew 13.2% vs. its French cluster which inched up 2.5% from a year earlier.
The Group’s main brands posted a resilient performance in the first half of 2022, particularly Marie Brizard and San José. Other brands including Sobieski posted growth in the on-trade business, while off-trade sales dipped slightly in the second quarter. Despite a general slowdown in the under-12-year blended whisky market (down 6.7% in the first half), William Peel recorded a small decline in sales in the first half of 2022 compared to 2021, thanks to a new listing obtained in the second half of 2021 enabling it to gain market share.
The first half upswing in France cluster sales was impacted by severe disruption in raw material supply chains since the beginning of March, notably due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and soaring raw material costs, which have particularly affected the glassmaking industry since early April. The Group is dealing with this situation by adopting allocation measures per brand based on available volumes. Furthermore, sales pricing policy adjustments across all distribution channels have been and will continue to be necessary in order to adapt to this new volatile environment.
International cluster
The International cluster posted first half revenues up 9.2% from first half 2021 at constant exchange rates.
US revenues for the first half of 2022 were down versus 2021 due to the continuing decline in Sobieski sales due to aggressive promotional strategies by competitors in the vodka segment and ongoing pressure on sea transport capacity.