Stock Spirits Czech

Mon. 12 January, 2009

Stock Plzeň-Božkov, the largest Czech spirits producer, sold 27.53 million litres of spirits in 2008. That is absolutely the highest volume ever achieved by a Czech producer in the course of twelve months. Stock Plzeň thus exceeded its own record from 2007 when the company's sales volume reached 26.65 million litres.

"We are happy, of course. Although the financial crisis did have an affect on the market and consumers began to spend less last year, our products were not much affected. We expect the crisis to get worse, no doubt, this year," Martin Petrášek, Chief Executive of Stock Plzeň, said. He is a cautious optimist in his outlook for 2009, anticipating further positive development of Stock Plzeň - Božkov's economy.

Last year's sales volume of 27.53 million litres was up 3.3% as against 2007. The sales had been rising for a substantial part of the Stock Plzeň's portfolio, which includes 40 spirit brands. The company's flagship brands - Fernet Stock and Fernet Stock Citrus - have managed to maintain their market position. The key leaders of Stock Plzeň's growth in sales last year were primarily the spirits of the Božkov range, but also, for instance, of the premium Vodka Amundsen. The Božkov Tuzemský domestic rum, one of the most popular domestic spirits ever, went up almost 3% in sales last year, the popular "green" Božkov Peprmint rose by approximately 16%. The sales of Božkov Vodka grew by 6% year-on-year, strengthening its position of the best-selling vodka on the Czech market. The highest growth of all was recorded by Hruškovice Stock Excellent, with its sales up more than 100%.

Success in export markets also had a positive impact on the company's sales results. Export sales of Stock Plzeň's products to Slovakia and other countries came close to the threshold of four million litres.

Thanks to the success in sales, Stock Plzeň remains an undisputed leader on the Czech spirits market, with the total market share approximately 36 - 37%, and its brands dominating all four key segments of the market: bitter and herbal spirits (Fernet Stock, Fernet Stock Citrus, Fernet Stock 8000), domestic rums (Božkov Tuzemský), vodkas (Vodka Amundsen, Božkov Vodka), as well as liqueurs (Božkov Peprmint, Božkov Griotte).

Last year, Stock Plzeň extended its own portfolio, notably with the brand Božkov Rumové Pralinky (Božkov Rum Truffles) - a chocolate cream liqueur with genuine rum. "Pralinky" exceeded all sales expectations and became the hit of the season. Originally intended as a product primarily for the retail market, it had soon found its way into the gastronomy sector too, and its sales continue to exhibit exceptional growth rates.

There had been a very successful development recorded also in the sales volume of spirits of the Stock Plzeň - Božkov's distribution portfolio, which includes brands such as the Finnish Koskenkorva Vodka, the Irish whiskey Tullamore Dew, Courvoisier cognac, Teacher's Scotch whisky, Greenall's Gin, Tequila Sombrero Negro, or Garrone vermouths and aperitifs. The sales volume of these brands exceeded 1.5 million litres last year, representing a year-on-year growth of 28 per cent.

Contact: 4JAN agency, Jiří Janoušek, tel.: 22224 2445, 603-820383, email: janousek@4jan.cz

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