The gain was driven by sales in France, the company said, before an off-premise slowdown.
In the United States, 2021 net sales fell 8% versus 2020 under the impact of the first half 2020 change in distribution model. The fourth quarter saw a slowdown in Sobieski sales due to aggressive marketing strategies among competitors in the vodka segment (leading to a decline in category value) and the postponement of sales to 2022 due to logistical constraints (particularly sea freight). These adverse effects were partly offset by a strong performance from Cognac Gautier. Canada, fairly stable throughout the year, was impacted by anti-COVID restrictions in the first and last quarters.