Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits reports net sales in the first quarter totaled 40.6 million EUR (about $42.7 million USD). It attributed the results to sales rising 4% in France and international sales rising 6.3%.
The performance in France was attributed to good on-premise activity which had been penalized by Covid in 2021 and a lesser decline in sales of William Peel whiskey compared to the competition as well as moderate growth for other brands in the portfolio, particularly Marie Brizard.
International sales benefited from the recovery in Europe as 2021’s health restrictions were lifted. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulted in limited loss of sales, but not enough to offset strong results in other areas. Sobieski sales in the U.S. slowed, the company said, noting that Vodka remains a highly competitive category. The company experienced strong growth in its strategic brands in Asia-Pacific. The company has adopted a pricing policy that anticipates certain raw material cost increases.