Amid speculation in the Financial Times that Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman could engineer the spirits industry’s ‘only remaining mega-merger’, IWSR data makes it clear that a merger could have a material impact on beverage alcohol market share and the industry landscape.
Global Spirits Market
A combined Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman would rival Diageo’s supremacy in the global spirits market. Pernod Ricard is already a strong global number two behind Diageo in terms of value, and a merger with Brown-Forman would cement that position.
Whisky Market
Brown-Forman’s dominance of the American whiskey market in the US is driven by a portfolio of brands that includes Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester.
Brown-Forman’s whiskey portfolio also gives it a dominant position in many international markets, including in the UK (70% category share by volume) and France (85%).
What is more, Pernod’s distribution network could help Brown-Forman to conquer new markets, such as India, where it currently has only a small presence. Pernod’s strong position in Indian whisky could provide Jack Daniel’s with a launchpad in what remains a difficult market to navigate.
Tequila Market
A merger could elevate a combined tequila business into fourth rank in the crucial US market (driven by Brown-Forman’s investment in the tequila category), albeit with a market share still below 10%, and would create a strong number two in the UK.
There are other opportunities that could come out of a Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard merger. For example, it could give the current Pernod Ricard portfolio increased access to the US market for the Cognac, wine and Scotch whisky categories. Conversely, a merger could strengthen Brown-Forman’s current position in the gin, vodka and Scotch whisky categories as well. The potential synergies are clear.
You may also be interested in reading:
The US and China offer resilience and opportunity for drinks groups
5 key trends that will shape the global beverage alcohol market in 2021
New technology drives ecommerce innovation in the US
Category
Market
- Beer
- Brandy
- Cider
- Gin
- Irish Whiskey
- Low-/No-Alcohol
- Mixed Drinks
- RTDs
- Rum
- Scotch
- Spirits
- Tequila
- US Whiskey
- Vodka
- Whisky
- Wine