Pernod Ricard rings in changes to US distribution
Absolut owner Pernod Ricard has made updates to its US distribution network and moved away from Republic National Distribution Company (RNDC).
The changes will see Reyes Beverage Group take over RNDC’s distribution of Pernod’s mainline and ready-to-drink (RTD) portfolio in Maryland and Washington DC once a deal between the distributors is finalised.
In addition, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits will take over distribution of Pernod Ricard USA’s mainline and RTD portfolio in Texas and Oklahoma, and the mainline brands in Louisiana.
The move increases Southern Glazer’s distribution tally of Pernod Ricard’s US portfolio to 37 states.
“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Pernod Ricard and look forward to building on the strong foundation our teams have established together over many years,” said Wayne E Chaplin, president and chief executive officer of Southern Glazer’s.
“By combining Pernod Ricard’s iconic portfolio with Southern Glazer’s proven commercial excellence, we are well positioned to drive continued growth and deliver exceptional value for our customers.”
The American Liberty Division, which is Southern Glazer’s dedicated arm for Pernod Ricard’s USA portfolio, will support the extended distribution agreement.
Meanwhile, family-owned Johnson Brothers will take over the distribution of Pernod Ricard USA’s mainline and RTD portfolio in the Dakota and Nebraska, and the mainline portfolio in Indiana.
Johnson Brothers already represents Pernod Ricard’s Gem portfolio across 11 states: in Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Gem (growth and emerging market) division accounts for Pernod Ricard’s next generation of ‘high-potential brands’, which includes Rabbit Hole, Irish whiskeys Spot, Powers, and Method and Madness, Plymouth Gin, Aberlour, Scapa, Avion, and Malfy.
Johnson Brothers CEO Mark Hubler said: “Pernod Ricard represents one of the most respected and comprehensive portfolios in the industry.
“We’re proud to expand our partnership and bring their full portfolio to these additional markets.”
‘Changing distributor landscape’
Since July 2014, RNDC has been the exclusive distributor of Pernod USA’s spirits and wine portfolio in Texas, Louisiana, Maryland (including Montgomery County), Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Washington DC.
RNDC has also had a distribution partnership with Pernod Ricard USA in Indiana since April 2020.
A company spokesperson for RNDC said in a statement that the distributor is “focused on serving our customers and partners across our markets while continuing to make meaningful progress advancing our potential sale transaction with Reyes Beverage Group.
“Pernod Ricard’s decision to transition its distribution relationship in certain markets is not expected to slow our progress,” the spokesperson added.
Addressing the RNDC and Reyes deal, the statement said the two companies have “finalised all economic terms of the pending transaction and remain on path to close by the end of May 2026”.
“It is otherwise business as usual at RNDC. We continue to work with a broad portfolio of top‑tier suppliers across all markets, focusing on stability and delivering strong service,” the company said.
RNDC was the second biggest spirits distributor in the US, behind Southern Glazer’s. In June 2025, it ended its operations in California.
In January this year, RNDC said it received ‘significant additional financing’ from unnamed lenders.
Pernod Ricard said aligning its distribution across Southern Glazer’s, Johnson Brothers and Reyes was based on market‐specific needs, operational capabilities and exemplary service and execution.
The updated network follows Pernod Ricard’s new US route-to-market strategy and implementation of two new commercial divisions, RTD and Gem, announced by Pernod Ricard last September.
The distribution changes will be fully effective in the coming months following a ‘carefully managed transition period’, the Paris-headquartered firm said.
Conor McQuaid, chief executive officer of Pernod Ricard USA, added: “These updates reflect a deliberate, market‐by‐market approach to distribution, grounded in execution capability and customer needs.
“In a changing distributor landscape, our priority is to stay focused on what drives performance: consistent execution, strong partnerships, and exemplary service for our customers and consumers, all while positioning our portfolio for sustained growth.”
Sales in the US were down by 15% for Pernod Ricard in the first half (H1) of its fiscal 2026 year.
In January, the company’s new structure came into effect, which split its business into two divisions: aged spirits (Gold) and unaged spirits (Crystal).
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