Pernod Ricard to sell Imperial Blue in shift towards premium brands

French Spirits Giant, Pernod Ricard, plans to divest from its popular Imperial Blue whisky brand in India, focusing on upscale labels like Glenlivet and Chivas Regal.

By  Storyboard18Sep 4, 2024 4:52 PM
Pernod Ricard to sell Imperial Blue in shift towards premium brands
Originally, Imperial Blue was owned by The Seagram Co. Ltd, a liquor manufacturer based in Canada.

Pernod Ricard, the world's second-largest wine and spirits seller, is set to sell its Imperial Blue whisky brand as part of a strategic shift to emphasize its premium portfolio. The portfolio includes high-end brands such as Glenlivet, Jameson, and Chivas Regal.

The company has enlisted Goldman Sachs to facilitate the sale of the brand, which enjoys substantial popularity in India with sales reaching 20 million cases annually.

This decision aligns with Pernod Ricard's long-term strategy to enhance its presence in the premium sector, a move similar to that of its main competitor, Diageo. Diageo previously streamlined its portfolio by offloading several low-margin brands, including Haywards, Honey Bee, and Romanov, to better focus on more lucrative premium offerings.

Sources close to the matter revealed that the sale was initiated three weeks ago. Pernod Ricard could potentially garner up to Rs. 5,000 crore from this divestiture, marking a significant reallocation of resources towards more premium, high-margin brands.

First Published on Sep 4, 2024 4:52 PM

More from Storyboard18

Advertising

Navi Mumbai airport sells 70% of ad space before opening; Jewar follows close behind

Navi Mumbai airport sells 70% of ad space before opening; Jewar follows close behind

How it Works

60% not familiar with AI; only 31% have tried a Gen AI tool: Google-Kantar report

60% not familiar with AI; only 31% have tried a Gen AI tool: Google-Kantar report

Brand Makers

Unilever sees strong growth prospects in India, driven by market share gains, favorable economic factors: CFO Srinivas Phatak

Unilever sees strong growth prospects in India, driven by market share gains, favorable economic factors: CFO Srinivas Phatak

Advertising

UP govt plans to replace traditional hoardings with digital displays

UP govt plans to replace traditional hoardings with digital displays

Advertising

Comcast ad revenue drops 7% in Q1 2025, loses 199,000 broadband subscribers

Comcast ad revenue drops 7% in Q1 2025, loses 199,000 broadband subscribers

Advertising

Spikes Asia 2025: Leo Burnett, McCann Worldgroup, Ogilvy and Havas take Grand Prix home

Spikes Asia 2025: Leo Burnett, McCann Worldgroup, Ogilvy and Havas take Grand Prix home

Advertising

Global Ads Spotlight: A Handshake and a deal - how Mercado Libre reinvented Black Friday marketing in Brazil

Global Ads Spotlight: A Handshake and a deal - how Mercado Libre reinvented Black Friday marketing in Brazil

Brand Makers

Ad holdco Interpublic Group's Q1 revenue drop as restructuring moves forward

Ad holdco Interpublic Group's Q1 revenue drop as restructuring moves forward