Upturn in growth for French drinks group

French wines and spirits maker Remy Cointreau has reported revenue growth of 10 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March. The company added that a 21 per cent surge in the final quarter indicated that the company has ridden out the slowdown on lower duty- free sales seen at the end of 2001.

French wines and spirits maker Remy Cointreau has reported revenue growth of 10 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March. The company added that a 21 per cent surge in the final quarter indicated that the company has ridden out the slowdown on lower duty- free sales seen at the end of 2001.

Revenue for the 12-month period rose to €1.02 billion from €925.6 million in the same period a year earlier, broadly in line with market forecasts. Revenue from duty-free sales dipped late in 2001 with a reduction in air travel in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.