wine news Jan 2013
MAJOR 2012 SALES DROP FOR CHAMPAGNE...
The shipment of Champagne has fallen by 3% in 2012,equalling the poor levels of distribution for 2005/2006.
November proved to be a poor month,with sales down on a year on year analysis,by between 6% and 7%,working out as 312 to 314 bottle sales less over the year,equating to 3% down.
The managing director of Pernod Ricard owned Gh Mumm and Perrier-Jouet, Michel Letter stated,'When 42m bottles were sold in Dec 2012,it was the lowest figure for that month since 2004.'
In French hypermarkets,prices are regularly below 10 euros a bottle,so Monsieur Letter at least expects 312 bottles for the year to be reached. 'It compares with 323m bottles last year.Due to the recession,only time will tell if things will improve next year.'
Letter also concluded that 'while the U.S and Asia still do well,because of a 1% downturn in France,where 56% of all champagne is sold,you need a 10% increase in Asia to compensate.'
In Europe,the U.K,Spain and Italy all show falling Champagne sales.
