PARIS (Reuters) - French drinks group Pernod Ricard (PA:PERP) said on Thursday that sales trends in China, its second-largest market, were improving thanks to a positive performance during the New Year celebrations.
Sales of Pernod Ricard products from wholesalers to retailers in China rose 7 percent year-on-year by volume in the December-to-February period, according to slides published by the company ahead of a conference call on Asia.
Martell sales volumes over the period jumped 13 percent but whisky sales volumes were still down 6 percent, Pernod said.
Year-to-date Pernod Ricard sales volumes from wholesalers to retailers in China were up 1 percent, which the group said was consistent with its guidance for full year 2014/15 organic growth in profit from recurring operations of between 1 percent and 3 percent.