Heineken USA Flat in 2003

Heineken announced yesterday that it's U.S. business was about flat in 2003 in shipment terms as "the poor weather in the key North East region, the uncertain economic climate, the war in Iraq and the smoking ban in bars and restaurants in some states restrained growth in imported beer sales."However, sales-to-retailers were up 2.3% "demonstrating that despite the soft market, people are still drinking Heineken," said CEO Thony Ruys. Heineken and Amstel Light sales in the US "benefited from the