Guinness have launched their 0.0 alcohol-free stout in 1,500 Irish pubs.
Diageo has recorded a decline in operating profit in a “volatile operating environment.”
Organic operating profit was down 4.8pc to $6bn (€5.5bn) in the year ended June 30.
This was driven by a 21.1pc drop in sales in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, the drinks giant reported in an update today.
Sales volumes dipped by 3.5pc across the year, Diageo said.
Reported net sales dipped 1.4pc to $20.3bn (€18.76bn) in the same period.
This decrease was attributed to an “unfavourable” foreign exchange impact and a decline in organic net sales.
Organic sales were down 0.6pc across the year but rose 3pc in Europe.
Ireland net sales increased by 7pc across the group’s financial year. This was driven by strong double-digit growth in Guinness.
Diageo pointed to a strong on-trade performance as a result of brand building and the roll-out of its Guinness 0.0 draught in more than 1,500 pubs across the country.
Guinness 0.0 net sales and volume more than doubled across Diageo’s markets in its most recent financial year, it added.
“Fiscal 24 was impacted by materially weaker performance in LAC,” chief executive Debra Crew said.
“Excluding LAC, organic net sales grew 1.8pc, driven by resilient growth in our Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe regions. This offset the decline in North America, which was attributable to a cautious consumer environment and the impact of lapping inventory replenishment in the prior year,” she added.
As well as Guinness, the business owns the Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Baileys brands.
