June 29, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's Carson Cumberbatch group plans to expand its network of retail outlets and pubs as growing disposable incomes and a tourism revival increases beer consumption.
Ceylon Brewery, a subsidiary of the conglomerate which sells under the Lion brand, has set up a fully-owned unit called CBL Retailers which runs wine shops and a chain of pubs named 'Machang' (local slang for mate).
The move was part of a downstream shift to reach consumers, the company said in its annual report to shareholders.
The Carson group brewery business did well in the financial year ending March 31, 2011 with the end of the island's 30-year ethnic war enabling distribution in the former war zone and consumption growing.
"Access to the Northern and Eastern markets grew, given the ability to distribute products freely in those areas, while higher per capita consumption was recorded from the more established regions, evidence of growing disposable incomes," the report said.
The firm said it sees the growth in tourism as a "major new force" that will enhance sales volumes, with tourist arrivals up 46 percent in 2010, and expectations luring a million tourists within the next two years.
"These trends support our strategy of creating more retail reach through our own outlets and the franchised pubs branded 'Machang' which we are in the process of creating across all important regional centres in our quest to get closer to the customer," the report said.
source - www.lbo.lk
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