Innovations Drive Diageo’s H1 Growth

Diageo ended H1 with US sales up 4.7% on an organic basis. The US portfolio is "much healthier" now, according to chief Ivan Menezes, with Johnnie Walker and Ketel One Botanicals particularly doing well. Ketel One was up more than 20% in the first half, driven by Botanicals which is bringing new consumers to the brand. The plan for Botanicals is to go after wine occasions, white wine in particular, according to Ivan. "And we will continue to build that,"