MacDuff strikes Americas distribution deal with Monarq Group

Monarq will handle sales for Lauder’s across a number of Americas markets

MacDuff International has struck an agreement with distribution and marketing company Monarq Group to distribute Lauder’s Scotch whisky across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Monarq will handle sales for Lauder’s across most South American and all Central American and Caribbean markets. It will also represent Grand Macnish Scotch in Central America & the Caribbean.

The agreement follows discussions initiated at IAADFS 2014 in Orlando and will be formalised at TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes. News of the tie-up follows the release of Generation data showing Lauder’s travel retail sales increasing by +70% in 2013, with the brand moving into the top ten blended Scotches in global travel retail.

MacDuff Sales Director John Scott said: “We are delighted to have Monarq Group representing our brands in the region and we see this as another major step forward in Lauder’s global reach. Both Lauder’s and Grand Macnish have a long history of sales in Latin America, going back around 100 years, and we look forward to growing the brands’ regional presence together with Monarq.”

Monarq Group Founder and Managing Director Robert de Monchy added: “Lauder’s is an excellent addition to our portfolio of leading independent premium alcoholic beverage brands. Blended Scotch whisky is historically the most important imported category in most of our markets and it’s our objective to transfer the recent international successes of the Lauder’s brand into our region soon. The brand holds a very promising proposition and we look forward to working closely with the MacDuff team and to achieve our mutual expectations.”

Monarq Group is a leading independent regional import, distribution & marketing company focused on alcoholic beverage brands in domestic and duty free segments in Latin America and the Caribbean plus USA duty free. It is based in the Netherlands with regional offices and warehousing in Miami, Trinidad and Mexico.

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