Remy Cointreau has today cut its full-year guidance, delaying its recovery from persistent double-digit sales declines, pushing out further a turnaround in the key US market and flagging deepening problems in Europe and Asia.
The maker of Remy Martin cognac and Cointreau liqueur enjoyed booming growth after the Covid-19 pandemic as consumers splashed out on expensive spirits, only to suffer a dramatic reversal in fortunes as economies worsened in recent years.
It said it now expected another double-digit percentage fall in organic sales for 2024-2025 financial year, following a 19.2% drop last year, rather than a gradual recovery led by the second half. This would also impact its profit margin.
Its shares are at their lowest level since 2016.
The warnings come as yet more bad news for the French company after Beijing's decision to impose tariffs on European Union brandy imports into China. The company said the impact would be marginal for this year ending on March 31, and it would "activate its plan to mitigate the effects from 2025-26".
"2024-25 will be a year of transition," Remy's statement said. The company said it still expected to continue progress towards high-single digit annual sales growth from its next financial year.
Remy has already endured steep declines in sales in the US, where high interest rates and concerns about its economic outlook have prompted retailers and wholesalers to cut expensive spirits inventories.
It makes some 70% of sales from cognac, with the vast majority of those in the US and Chinese markets.
Remy said the US would now not return to growth before the fourth quarter. It had been expecting improved US performance to drive a better second half.
It flagged a tougher market in China, where a slow economy has hit demand, and a sharper sales fall elsewhere in Asia. An 18.8% decline in Europe, Middle East and Africa compounded problems.
The company also said today it would launch a new cost-cutting plan worth €50m.
Its organic sales fell 16.1% in the second quarter, more than the 15.4% decline analysts had predicted.
Rivals Pernod Ricard and luxury giant LVMH, owner of Hennessy cognac, both also recently missed their forecasts amid a tougher economy in China.
