Blenders Pride manufacturer
India’s growing economy, changing lifestyle and increasing purchasing power of the youth are now changing not only the markets but also the strategies of big international brands. Understanding this change, French distiller Pernod Ricard, which makes popular brands like Blenders Pride and Royal Stag, has made a big claim. According to the company, in the coming time, India can become the world’s largest market, leaving America behind.
India’s growing power
An ET report said that Jean Touboul, CEO of Pernod Ricard India, says that income in India is continuously increasing and people’s thinking towards drinking alcohol is not as conservative as before. Every year approximately 2 crore new youth enter the ‘legal age’, and their preferences are moving towards more premium brands rather than regular liquor. This trend is a big opportunity for the company.
The CEO of Pernod Ricard India believes that he cannot predict any timeline, but macroeconomic trends clearly show that the day is not far when India will leave the US behind. In the last financial year, India contributed 13% to the company’s global sales, surpassing China and reaching second place after the US.
Imperial Blue Sail
The company has recently sold its famous brand Imperial Blue to Tilaknagar Industries. This move is part of its strategy under which Pernod Ricard wants to focus on more premium brands in India. The company believes that the high-end segment is the fastest growing in India and will create huge business in the coming years.
In this direction, the company has introduced a local multi-category range of whiskey, gin, vodka, rum and brandy for the Indian market. It is expected that about 25% of the coming growth will come from innovation and new brands alone will contribute about 10%.
International challenges, but strong growth in India
Globally, Pernod Ricard has seen a decline in sales due to low demand and de-stocking in major markets like the US and China. India also did not remain completely untouched by this. There was an initial shock due to change in excise policy in Maharashtra but still the company’s sales grew by 3% in Q1 FY26, which shows the market potential.
Bet on premium, company’s future
The CEO says that as the company is moving out of lower category brands and increasing its focus on the premium segment, the pace of its growth will also increase. The demand for premium and super-premium drinks is increasing rapidly in India. The company claims that due to this trend, India can become the ‘fastest growing alcohol market’ in the next few years.