William Grant & Sons (WGS) recorded a +21.8% rise in travel retail sales for 2016, strongly ahead of total spirits volumes in the channel, which rose +6.9% according to IWSR figures.
Glenfiddich, the flagship brand for WGS, regained the number one single malt position (in both value and volume) in travel retail and entered the top ten spirits brands in the channel.
The Balvenie recorded +23.8% growth in 2016, making it the fourth-largest single malt in travel retail. Hendrick’s remains the leader in the super-premium gin category with a 56% share; Monkey Shoulder grew value sales by +95%; Drambuie sales jumped +18% in a flat liqueur category and sales of Sailor Jerry increased +18% ahead of the rum category.
WGS said it will capitalise on the continuing premiumisation trend with the introduction of a number of new expressions for core brands Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Tullamore Dew at TFWA World Exhibition (Golden Village GO2).
William Grant & Sons Global Travel Retail Managing Director Ed Cottrell commented: “We’ve got some incredibly exciting brand stories to share with customers this year which, on the back of our phenomenal results in 2016 and continuing success in 2017, place William Grant & Sons at the forefront of innovation and drive within the travel retail sector.
“Alongside new expressions for the sector – both exclusives and global initiatives – we’ve got some amazing successes to report, including the excellent response to the refreshed Glenfiddich Cask Collection, introduced here last year.”
