PERNOD “PRIORITIZES” STOLI AND ABSOLUT

Pernod chief Patrick Ricard said acquiring Stolichnaya and Absolut are the company’s top priorities for the time being. During a visit to China, Patrick remained mum at a briefing when asked how negotiations are going with Russian group SPI (owners of Stolichnaya). However, Pernod’s managing director, Pierre Pringuet, wasn’t so tight lipped on the subject of Absolut. He told reporters that Pernod has made its buying “intentions clear” and are now waiting for the Swedes to decide. Is the company