Packs help boost InBev market share

AB InBev recorded a 6.8% drop in UK beer volumes in the first quarter of the year, but Stuart MacFarlane, InBev President of UK and Ireland, focused on the improved market share as pointing to a “successful performance” in a challenging economic climate.

He said the new creative strategy, which included redesigned fonts, the new Chalice glass, new packaging for Stella Artois and a new advertising campaign for Stella 4%, had borne fruits.

“The successful UK performance can be attributed to product renovation and innovation supported by the launch of Stella Artois 4% last year – one of the most successful beer launches of the last decade,” he said.

The firm’s US packaging business contributed $330m to a quarterly revenue of $8.2bn. Last year, InBev reported first quarter revenues of $4.8bn, prior to the acquisition of Anheuser Busch.

Meanwhile, Diageo has reported a 7% drop in net sales in the three months to 31 March, due the the current economic climate and, in particular, the decline in Russia.

Nonetheless, the firm has maintained its forecast of 4%-6% organic profit growth for the year to 30 June.

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