Alexandre Ricard has been made chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard.
He has said that he wishes to make the Paris-based drinks company the "biggest in the world," though the expounding of this ambition has taken place in the context of disappointing results for the company.
For the first half of the Pernod's 2014/2015 financial year, net profits are down by 5 per cent, though this is understood to be, to a large extent, outside of the company's control, with contra-decadence measures in China drastically impacting global sales of hard drinks.
Alexandre Ricard said (as quoted on the drinks business) in his inaugural public statement as head of the company, "Our H1 results are solid and in line with the guidance given in October. Our Sales are gradually improving despite an environment that remains challenging.
"Heartened by this encouraging first semester, we confirm our full year guidance of growth in Profit from Recurring Operations between +1% and +3%.
"I am confident in the strength of our portfolio of premium brands and of our global network that support our three strategic growth pillars: premiumisation, expansion and innovation."
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article written by Peter Donnelly.
