Pernod Ricard wins race for Absolut

摘要

After months of speculation over the sale of Absolut Vodka, Pernod Ricard, Paris, acquired the brand and its parent company, Vin & Sprit of Sweden, for $6.05 billion. In announcing the purchase, Pernod Ricard Managing Director Pierre Pringuet called Absolut a "truly iconic brand," and cited the brand's global growth potential as the reason behind the purchase. In addition, he said, the move bolsters the company's presence in the U.S. market. Absolut sold a little more than 5 million cases in the United States last year. The brand sold about 11 million cases worldwide, and Pringuet said Pernod Ricard's reach into other countries, including emerging markets, would benefit the brand going forward. Globally, the purchase gives Pernod 91 million cases per year, putting it in close second place to the U.K.'s Diageo.