IRELAND/UK: GUINNESS ON THE WANE?

Article Abstract:

Guinness sales in the Irish Republic are believed to have fallen for the first time in 241 years. Results due shortly from Diageo, the UK-based drinks company and owner of the Guinness brand, are expected to reveal a 3-4% fall in sales in Ireland. There is further bad news for Guinness, with the findings of a survey conducted by the trade magazine Publican, which reveals a decline in the number of landlords wanting to stock Guinness as a product. The survey questioned 1,000 landlords about the three beers they would most stock. In 1999 30% named Guinness, but in 2000 this figure had dropped by 6% to 24%. Analysts attribute the decline to changing drinking patterns amongst British and Irish pubgoers. One explanation is increased competition, with new beers and lagers available on the market. Another key factor is that the major growth area is in women drinkers, who do not want to drink stout. There was some good news for Guinness however, with the revelation that its UK market share had risen from 5% in 1998 to 5.5% in 2000.

Market information - general, Ireland, Malt beverages, Guinness PLC

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UK: MINIMUM WAGE REDUCES BREWERS' PROFITABILITY

Article Abstract:

David Thompson, the managing director of UK regional brewer Wolverhampton & Dudley (W&D), claims that the cost of taking on the minimum wage laws imposed by the government is denting brewers' profitability. Greater price competition in the market would make it more difficult for brewers to recoup these costs from its customers, he said. Adhering to the new directive has cost W&D around GB[pound] 2.5mn so far, reports Mr Thompson. Like-for-like retail sales at W&D rose 1.3% in the three months to 02 January 2000 with beer volumes up 25%. In a separate announcement, UK brewer pub operator JD Wetherspoon reported a share placing of 9,915,000 new ordinary shares with corporate investors would raise GB[pound] 43.8mn to pay for its expansion plans. It priced the shares at 450 pence each. Its sales in the six months to 23 January 2000 rose 44% compared to the same period twelve months previously. Food sales were up 8.5% compared to a 2% fall the year previously.

Sales & consumption, Restaurants & Food Service, Brewing industry, Breweries, Food services, JD Wetherspoon PLC, Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries PLC

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UK: PUB ARENA COUNTS COST OF FLOODING

Article Abstract:

The UK pub arena could suffer lost revenue and damages totalling over GBu 100mn as a result of the severe floods. Pubmaster's chief executive, John Sands, says that the flooding adds to the plight of landlords who had to deal with England's poor Euro 2000 showing and adverse weather in the summer.

Eating places, Statistical Data Included, Brief Article, Restaurants, Floods

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