H1 net sales up 1% at Diageo Ireland

Net sales of 'Guinness' – which also covers Hop House 13 and Diageo innovations such as West Indies and Dublin Porters and Guinness Pale Ale – were up 3% in Ireland in H1.

This was driven by the success of Hop House 13 Lager which had a strong performance in the on-trade and more recently in the off-trade, according to Diageo in its H1 results to 31^st December 2016, published today. It reports that net sales at Diageo Ireland grew 1.0%, with “high double-digit growth” in the premium and reserve brands contributing to a share gain in spirits.

Reported net sales volumes at Diageo plc were down 1% but up by 1.8% organically according to the report., while operating profits rose 28% from £1.6bn to £2.1bn on a 14.5% increase to £6.4bn from £5.6bn in reported net sales values or 4.4% organic net sales.

Global sales of Guinness reported a net sales increase of 10% but organic sales volumes were down 3%.

Reported net sales of Baileys were up 17% globally or 3% organically on an organic volume increase of 5%. This rise was driven by 10% growth in Europe, its biggest market “following an exceptional on-trade execution.

Reported Guinness sales in ‘Europe, Russia and Turkey’ were up 12% or 2% organically. Net sales of Baileys in this sector also showed reported growth of 44% or 26% organically while organic volume increased 31%.