Rémy Cointreau reports profit growth

Rémy Cointreau has reported strong sales and profits for the first six months of its financial year, to 30 September 2012.

Sales for the six months were €595.8 million, reflecting organic growth of 13.3%.

Current operating profit was €141.5 million, an increase of 33.2% (18.0% organic growth) compared with the same period the previous year, which had already risen strongly.

The company reported that the six months performance was due to “strong business momentum in all regions of the world”. Growth was particularly strong in Asia and the US, and to a lesser extent, in Europe.

Rémy Martin was a particularly strong driver in the group’s performance with organic sales growth of 20.1% and an 44.1% increase in operating profit.

The brand recorded particularly strong growth in China, the US and Russia.

The group’s liqueur and spirits division also saw growth, with Cointreau and St-Rémy improving, while Metaxa also reported growth in spite of the economic situation in Greece.

The report is good news for François Hériard Dubreuil, who was confirmed as Rémy Cointreau’s new chairman last week.