That trails the pace for both the Americas overall and Pernod Ricard’s global business which rose 9.3% on an organic basis.
The strongest growth was in Asia-Rest of World, where China and India, Travel Retail and Africa Middle East combined to produce 10% growth. One reason: The Chinese New Year and Easter. Europe saw a modest decline of 1%.
Pernod noted that the market is decelerating in the U.S., and growth is now estimated at 3% to 4%. Despite that, the U.S. saw strong momentum for Jameson, Martell and tequilas Avion and Altos. Still declining: Absolut.