Diageo India sees double-digit growth from Scotch brands
New Delhi, June 5: Spirits major Diageo India, which controls United Spirits Ltd, is stepping up premiumisation in the company's portfolio and expects a high double-digit growth from scotches, said its managing director & CEO Hina Nagarajan.
Besides, Diageo India is also working on sustainability initiatives through brands and expects to be plastic waste positive. It is taking solar initiatives, working on afforestation and also aims to be a water positive company, she added.
The company is working on a premiumisation strategy and reshaping its portfolio with renovations and innovations of brands such as Signature and Royal Challenge and scaling it up after getting the momentum.
"We have a very good presence in scotches. And with the activations, which we have done around Johny Walker, the renovation of Black Dog scotch and launch of Talisker and Singleton, which are malt brands, we are seeing a very high double-digit growth in scotches and that is helping our premiumisation journey massively," Nagarajan told PTI.
Diageo India will be focusing on accelerating luxury and premium portfolios of scotch whisky, strengthening participation in upper prestige.
The company manufactures, sells and distributes an outstanding portfolio of premium brands such as Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, Royal Challenge, McDowell's No. 1, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan.
Besides, it has also introduced Royal Challenge American Pride, an American bourbon whiskey, and that is helping the company to address the young customers, who want accessible drinks.
"It is bringing more women into the fold. It's a really inclusive launch. That is strengthening our participation in upper prestige," she said.
Diageo India aspires to be the "top-performing" consumer products company with a double-digit topline growth in the country.
"Our mission is to be the top CPG company in India delivering a sustained double-digit topline growth with mid to high teen margins and also giving a long term value to our stakeholders," said Nagarajan
The company is also working towards ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals and its brands are participating in sustainability initiatives.
Diageo India, a unit of British spirits maker Diageo Plc, also aims to be a water positive company and is working on conservation projects and trying to replenish more water than it uses.