Edrington establishes Americas travel retail unit

The Macallan owner, Edrington, has established a new joint venture with World Equity Brand Builders (Webb) to distribute its spirits portfolio in Americas and Caribbean travel retail.

Edrington, owner of The Macallan, has furthered its ambition to develop a global distribution network through its new partnership with Webb

Edrington Webb Travel Retail Americas will officially launch operations on 16 January, once Edrington’s existing distribution deal with Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas ends.

The new company will represent Edrington’s key spirits portfolio, which includes The Macallan, Highland Park, The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark Scotch whiskies, Brugal rum and Snow Leopard vodka. It will also distribute Webb’s portfolio of Disaronno, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Armand de Brignac, Licor 43, The Glenrothes and Tia Maria, as well as a handful of wine brands.

Andy Consuegra, CEO of the new group, said: “Edrington Webb Travel Retail Americas will offer a leading portfolio of premium spirit and wine brands, enabling our experienced team to focus on in-store execution, brand building and training from Canada to the Caribbean.

“We look forward to building excellent relationships with our customers and delivering strong results and long-term growth for our premium brands.”

Edrington first revealed it was in exclusive discussions with Webb to develop a partnership in August 2014.

The Scotland-based spirits group claimed travel retail in the Americas and Caribbean represents almost a quarter of global duty free sales volumes with five million cases sold per year.

Edrington said the sector has an estimated annual value of over US$1 billion.

Juan Gentile, area director for the Americas at Edrington, added: “The creation of Edrington Webb will expand our reach and bring us closer to customers and consumers in this valuable and dynamic market.”

The two companies have maintained a partnership in the Caribbean since 2010.

The creation of Edrington Webb Travel Retail Americas follows the establishment of Edrington’s global travel retail business in Singapore in October last year.

The group also launched wholly-owned distribution arms Edrington Americas, Edrington Singapore and joint venture Edrington-Fix in the Middle East in the past year as it seeks to establish its own global distribution network.