Japan: Two of Japans four major brewers report sales growth in January-June
Two of the four major Japanese brewers enjoyed sales growth for beer and beer-like products in January-June, backed by strong sales of third-segment beverages, the companies' data have shown.
Sales increased 2% year on year at both Kirin Brewery Co. and Suntory Beer Ltd., as lower-priced third-segment products fared well, including Kirin's Honkirin and Suntory's Kinmugi Gold Lager.
Meanwhile, Asahi Breweries Ltd.'s sales decreased 3% after receiving a boost from new product launches the previous year.
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. saw its sales fall 4%, losing customers to rivals' third-segment beverages.
In the beer and beer-like drink market, higher-priced genuine beer and happoshu low-malt quasi-beer products incurred poor sales.