SABMiller’s beer sales are flat; economic doldrums aren’t helping
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that London-based SABMiller, the world’s second largest brewer, posted flat sales volume in its fiscal first quarter. The economic downturn hampered consumer demand, particularly in Eastern Europe.
SABMiller said its core lager volume, which strips out the effect of acquisitions and disposals, was flat in the quarter ending June 30. That was in line with expectations, and compares with a 1 percent fall in the previous quarter.
In the U.S., MillerCoors - a joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors, saw its beer shipments slide 1 percent in the quarter. Beer Marketer’s Insights pointed out that 5 of MillerCoors‘ 6 “focus brands” grew, but Miller Lite’s continued decline dragged on results. Miller Lite has dropped between 6 percent and 7 percent so far this year, Insights reported.
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Jeremiah McWilliams is a native Virginian who came to the Post-Dispatch in early 2007 to cover beer and other consumer products. He previously covered manufacturing for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Va. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. 
