Anheuser-Busch InBev offered a commentary on its local business, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, after reporting its global third-quarter results yesterday.
During the quarter, the UK business grew in value and volume, supported by demand in the off-trade channel and the gradual re-opening of the on-trade channel. It noted that it recent months, its penetration grew 40%, representing almost 2 million more households entering the category.
Stella Artois and Budweiser remained the #1 and #2 most valuable beer brands in the Off-Trade, while Corona grew at nearly three times the rate of the total category, maintaining its position as the most valuable World Beer brand in the Off-Trade. It also recorded double-digit growth for its two new alcohol-free launches (Stella Artois Alcohol-Free, and Budweiser Zero), while Stella Artois was the best performing brand in the On-Trade, in terms of like-for-like sales, once the hospitality sector re-opened.
In Ireland, C&C Group began distributing the Budweister brand, while Bulmers Ireland now distributes its full portfolio of brands. It said was already seeing strong volume and value growth in the Off-Trade YoY.
Paula Lindenberg, President of Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, noted that the unit “introduced new initiatives to continue supporting our customers, and launched campaigns from our much-loved brands” as it worked to cope with the “ongoing challenges in the sector brought on by further Covid-19 restrictions and closures”.
She added: “Our global brands were supported by strong campaigns this quarter, including the launch of Budweiser’s Side Hustles docu-series, Stella Artois’s new global brand campaign (‘The Life Artois’), and Corona’s ‘Rediscover Paradise’ initiative.”
Looking forward, we will harness our learnings from the first wave of the Covid-19 period so far, as well as the strength of our teams, to adapt to any evolving challenges that may arise.”
