ST. LOUIS -- Anheuser-Busch Inc., the U.S. beer subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., increased U.S. shipments to wholesalers to 102.3 million barrels in 2006up 1.2 million barrels or 1.2% over 2005, said president and CEO August A. Busch IV.
"Anheuser-Busch achieved increased shipments in 2006 due to the success of its initiatives to grow core brands, led by Bud Light, and by expanding its portfolio of products including the addition of the Rolling Rock brands, and imports Grolsch and Tiger," said Busch. Wholesaler sales-to-retailers grew 1.1% for [image-nocss] the full year. Newly acquired and alliance brands contributed 0.5 points of growth to both shipments and wholesaler sales-to-retailers for the full year.
Wholesaler sales-to-retailers growth accelerated to 1.6% for fourth-quarter 2006, while U.S. beer shipments to wholesalers decreased 3.6% in the same timeframe, as the company reduced wholesaler inventories below 2005 year-end levels. Fourth-quarter 2006 percent changes for wholesaler sales-to-retailers and shipments to wholesalers benefited by 0.7 points and 0.8 points, respectively, due to newly acquired and alliance brands.
"We are pleased with our sales and marketing initiatives, including the recently announced agreement to become the exclusive U.S. importer of select InBev European brands, and believe these efforts will position Anheuser-Busch for growth in volume and earnings in 2007," concluded Busch.
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