As part of its results announcement yesterday (27 July), Diageo revealed that global sales of Guinness were broadly flat for the year so far, with a shift towards value beer in Kenya and Nigeria causing sales to decrease by 5% in Africa.
However, the statistics for Ireland and Europe as a whole record a sales growth of 2% for the region due to the popularity of Guinness's Hop House 13 lager, which experienced a net sales growth of 31% during the 12 months to the end of June 2017, as reported by rte.ie.
The net sales of other Diageo beer brands in Ireland have dropped by 4% in 2017 thus far, while a net sales growth of 10% in spirits is said to have been facilitated by Smirnoff and Gordons. Bailey's net sales have also risen by 7% in Ireland and 5% in the world at large.
Diageo's revenue of £12.05 billion for the 12 months ended 30 June was slightly above an analyst consensus of £11.96 billion. Adjusted operating profit was £3.6 billion in the latest year, Diageo said in a statement Thursday. That matched analysts' forecasts.
For full details of Diageo's worldwide financial results click here.