United Spirits to be world's number two player

United Spirits Ltd (USL), owned by Vijay Mallya-controlled UB Group, is set to become the world’s second-largest spirits firm by volumes, dislodging Paris-headquartered Pernod Ricard.

Initial estimates suggest that USL will be selling 99 million cases by the end of the calender year, close to Diageo’s estimated sales of 106 million cases. Pernod Ricard is expected to sell around 95 million cases.

“We are growing by 15 per cent in volumes and should be in the vicinity of 100 million cases by December,” said Vijay Rekhi, managing director, USL. This impending step up the global spirits ladder closely follows USL’s Bagpiper becoming the world’s largest-selling whisky brand by volume in December.

Bagpiper is expected to sell 17 million cases this year and topple Johnnie Walker (16.8 million cases) for the top slot. Bagpiper sold over 15 million cases last year, recording an 18 per cent growth in volume over the previous year.