Pernod Ricard to reorganise duty-free operations

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The liquor supplier is to carry out an "internal realignment" but has emphasised its commitment to travel-retail

The world's second biggest liquor supplier, Pernod Ricard, is to disband its duty-free division Pernod Ricard World Trade (PRWT) by the end of the year. The move, part of what the division's marketing director James Clarke called "an internal realignment", hands responsibility for duty-free to Pernod's regional teams and brand-owning companies around the world. Clarke insisted the change would not affect the company's commitment to travel-retail.

The future for senior PRWT management is now under discussion, but senior executives will remain in place until the division is wound down. The company stressed that new positions within the group will be offered to PRWT staff.

Ian Williams, who up to now has managed the company's travel-retail business in the Americas, will relocate to Europe to become managing director of Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Europe. He will be replaced in the Americas by Christophe Lemarie.

Pernod's travel-retail interests will be managed from three regional offices in London, Singapore and New York. Alain Dufosse will continue to manage the company's travel-retail business in Asia.

Clarke told TRW: "Pernod Ricard World Trade was created to integrate the brands acquired from Seagram into travel-retail. With the company consolidating its number two position in the market, that task is now completed. In order to further strengthen Pernod Ricard's commitment to the travel-retail sector, we will be redeploying the expertise from PRWT across the group to reinforce our regional teams and brand-owning companies." 

More details and reaction will appear in DFNI September 15, out next week.