Pernod Ricard S - PRNDY STOCK NEWS

Jameson Irish Whiskey has introduced a limited-edition Table-Top Tree made from empty Jameson bottles, available for purchase starting November 17, 2022. The three-foot tall tree includes 19 empty bottles and a full bottle of Jameson Black Barrel, making it a unique holiday decoration or gift. Designed to be a conversation starter during festive gatherings, it eliminates the hassle of traditional trees. Consumers can purchase the tree while supplies last through ReserveBar.com, enhancing their holiday celebrations with signature cocktails.

On 10 November 2022, Pernod Ricard held its Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, chaired by Chairman & CEO Alexandre Ricard. Key resolutions approved include an annual dividend of €4.12 per share, with €2.56 per share payable on 29 November 2022. The meeting also saw the renewal of directorships for Patricia Barbizet and Ian Gallienne, and Barbizet appointed as Lead Independent Director. KPMG SA's renewal as Statutory Auditors was approved. Pernod Ricard reported consolidated sales of €10,701 million for FY22 and remains a leader in the wines and spirits market, committed to sustainability and responsibility.

Pernod Ricard has partnered with UK-based Professional Bar Training to launch the first fully accredited online education program for bar professionals. This initiative aims to fill a crucial gap in bartending qualifications, offering vocational courses certified by UK regulators. The program includes a Level 2 Certificate and a Level 4 Diploma, focusing on essential skills such as licensing, sales, and financial management. Over 1,000 students have already enrolled from countries including the UK, USA, and China. The initiative supports the hospitality industry's need for skilled professionals, enhancing career progression and retention.

This holiday season, Kahlúa collaborates with culinary personality Gail Simmons to launch the limited-edition Stir It Up with Kahlúa & Gail Simmons: Espresso Martini Kit. This kit enhances the classic Espresso Martini experience by including an edible Stemless Cocoa Cup, festive decorations, and essential ingredients for a customized cocktail. Available through CocktailCourier.com until Dec. 17, this kit aims to inspire at-home holiday entertaining and serves as an ideal gift for cocktail enthusiasts.

Pernod Ricard has announced that Absolut Vodka will be the first global spirits brand to utilize a partly hydrogen-fired glass furnace, a major step towards achieving CO2 neutrality by 2030. The partnership with Ardagh Glass will commence in late 2023, reducing carbon emissions from glass production by 20%. Additionally, Pernod Ricard has joined Glass Futures to innovate sustainable glass solutions. The initiative builds on previous success utilizing biofuels for Jameson bottle production, markedly lowering its carbon footprint.

Ardagh Group and Absolut Vodka have partnered to use a partly hydrogen energy-fired glass furnace, making Absolut the first global spirits brand to adopt this technology. This initiative is part of Absolut's commitment to achieve CO₂ neutrality by 2030, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of its glass packaging by 20%. Starting in the second half of 2023, the pilot project will replace 20% of natural gas with green hydrogen at Ardagh's Limmared facility in Sweden, which has supplied Absolut for 40 years.

Pernod Ricard has initiated a share buyback program worth €150 million, starting from October 31, 2022, which may last until November 22, 2022. This action is part of a broader buyback strategy aiming to repurchase between €500 million to €750 million in FY23. The maximum share price for this buyback is capped at €280 per share, as determined in the November 2021 Shareholders’ Meeting. With FY22 consolidated sales of €10,701 million, Pernod Ricard is the second-largest global producer of wines and spirits, owning a diverse portfolio of 16 top brands.

Pernod Ricard USA has appointed Publicis Santé as its new media agency of record, aiming to enhance its marketing strategy across spirits, wine, and RTDs. This partnership focuses on leveraging data-driven insights to optimize omnichannel experiences and improve brand conversion rates. The collaboration is aligned with Pernod Ricard's ongoing development of its internal Marketing Accelerator, which aims to integrate media, content, data, and technology for enhanced consumer engagement and business growth.

Pernod Ricard reported Q1 FY23 sales of €3,308 million, reflecting organic growth of +11%. Key performance highlights include strong distributor depletions in the US, and significant growth in China and India. The company experienced double-digit growth in all spirit segments, with Strategic International Brands up 12% and Specialty Brands up 16%. However, Strategic Wines saw an 8% decline. Reported sales growth reached 22% driven by favorable forex impact, primarily from the US Dollar and Chinese Yuan.