Diageo outperforms with strong off-licence sales 28/01/2021, 11:37 am
Drinks sales fell due to the Covid-19 pandemic but off-trade business was strong at Diageo, the company said (World Class/PA)
Global drinks giant Diageo managed to preform better than expected as heavy falls in sales from pubs closures and fewer airport passengers were partially offset by supermarket and off-licence trade.
The company behind Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Baileys said net sales in the six months to the end of 2020 fell 4.5% to £6.9 billion, with pre-tax profits down 8.3% to £2.2 billion.
In the UK, net sales grew 2%, with sales in supermarkets and off-licences offsetting the fall from pub closures during long periods.