Beam Suntory celebrates sales success streak

Beam Suntory has reported significant double-digit growth in the first nine months of its financial year due to continued success in North America and Japan.

Jim Beam Apple is “off to an encouraging start” as it continues its global launch

Reported YTD sales for Beam Suntory – the alcoholic drinks arm of Japanese drinks arm of Japan’s Suntory Holdings – grew 36%.

The results were boosted by strong performances across its joint portfolio of Japanese and American whiskey, which was formed following Suntory’s US$16 billion acquisition of Beam Inc in January 2014.

Beam Suntory identifies the Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s Bourbon brands, as well as Japanese whisky leader Hibiki, as labels that have driven “especially strong volume growth”.

Meanwhile, the group claims that the global rollout of new Jim Beam Apple is “off to an encouraging start”, as the core Jim Beam Bourbon brand also helped it “gain share in key global markets”.

In North America, figures were boosted by premiumisation strategies and a “favourable price mix”, in addition to strong Bourbon and Scotch sales.

The global launch of Hibiki Japanese Harmony also “expanded consumer interest in Japanese whisky around the world”, while stable mate Kakubin continued to expand in Asia.

“Strong growth” of RTDs helped Beam Suntory’s Japan business, Suntory Spirits Limited, record 8% year-on-year sales growth.

In Japan, overall whisky volumes increased 13%, with both Japanese malts and Bourbon brands reporting double-digit growth.

Jim Beam in particular experienced a very fruitful nine months, with sales jumping 59% due to the “successful promotion” of the Citrus Highball signature serve in the on- and off-trade.

Overall, parent company Suntory Holdings reported a 9% increase to its net income, reaching ¥32bn.

Earlier this week, Beam Suntory introducing its full portfolio of premium Scotch whisky expressions to the Canadian market, including Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Laphroaig.