Brown-Forman has added another market to its in-house distribution model, with Slovakia added to the list this week.
Almost two months ago, the Jack Daniel’s brand owner confirmed it would end its arrangement in Japan with Asahi, preferring instead to handle its own distribution in the country. The same decision has been taken for Slovakia in Central Europe, with owned operations taking effect immediately and for the first time.
Speaking to Global Drinks Intel, a spokesperson for Brown-Forman said the group had previously worked in a “lengthy partnership” in the country with Bratislava-based distributor Koft. Further details about the decision, however, were not disclosed.
According to the company, Slovakia “has a substantial premium whiskey market with American whiskey leading the category by value”.
Also this week, Brown-Forman delivered a 2% increase in year-on-year sales for the three months to the end of July. A stark decline in the US during the quarter was blamed on much higher shipments in the corresponding period in 2022 that had been driven by post-glass shortage replenishments.
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