Guinness Nigeria to distribute McDowell’s No.1
Diageo has moved more distribution powers over to its Guinness Nigeria arm, which will now handle Indian whisky brand McDowell’s No. 1.
Guinness Nigeria will distribute USL’s McDowell’s No.1 Indian whiskyMcDowell’s No.1, produced by Diageo’s Indian subsidiary United Spirits Limited (USL), is the world’s second best-selling whisky brand behind Officer’s Choice.
The deal follows Diageo’s announcement in December last year that effective from 1 January, Guinness Nigeria would distribute its portfolio of international spirits brands in Nigeria.
The UK drinks group holds a 54.3% shareholding in Guinness Nigeria, a listed company.
In the year ending 30 June 2015, Diageo’s international premium spirits net sales in Nigeria were £20 million.
Earlier this year, Diageo terminated its joint venture with Heineken and Namibia Breweries in South Africa and Namibia three years earlier than planned, taking distribution in-house.
The group has formed standalone entities to market and distribute its brands in the countries – a move Diageo claims will allow it to strengthen its investment in spirits.
