Pernod Ricard’s turnover increased by 11% between 2010 and 2011 to €8 billion. On the second half of 2011 and thanks to the developing markets (+18%) and its “top 14” brands (+14%), the French company makes its best half year since 2008 and improves its financial status. The Chief executive, Pierre Pringuet, is confident and does not predict a decrease for the future, except for the European market (crisis and new French excise duty). The Irish whiskey, Jameson, is one of Pernod Ricard’s “Top 14” brands. In 1988, Pernod Ricard took over the Jameson brand by buying Irish Distillers. In 2011, Jameson’s turnover increased by 25% and contributes to the French group’s good health. It was the fourth best performing drink brand in Pernod Ricard’s portfolio.   Source: les Échos , 17/02/2012

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The French luxury group PPR announced last week its results for 2011 and issued an optimistic outlook, sustained by strong Asian demand for high-end brands like Gucci.Net profit was up 2.3 percent to 986 million euros, while recurring net income, which strips out discontinued operations, soared 26.4 percent to 1.05 billion euros. Francois-Henri Pinault, the group’s chairman and chief executive is proud of the results for 2011 and is confident that 2012 will be another year of sustained revenue growth and improvements in their operating and financial performances.   Fashionmag.com 16 February 2012  

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From February 25th to March 4th 2012, the International Agricultural Show will take place at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris. Every year, this event is open to the general public but it is also an opportunity to meet trade contacts from all the agricultural sectors. The Paris International Agricultural Show gives an overview of the agricultural world. Many activities, exhibitions and debates are available to visitors. This edition will focus on four themes: animals, French and world gastronomy, crops and plants, agricultural services and professions. With 1,142 exhibitors and 4,667 animals presented in 2011, the Paris International Agricultural Show is the biggest French agricultural event. The show enjoys good press coverage and is an inevitable stop for politicians, especially in these times of presidential campaign. Website: www.salon-agriculture.com  

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According to the French ministry of Agriculture, the agri-food trade surplus increased by 45% between 2010 and 2011. The value of the agri-food trade surplus reached €11.6 billion in 2011. Thanks to commodities such as grain (higher price), dairy, drink and meat, the growth of the French agri-food exports exceeded the growth of its imports.  The European Union has helped to boost the French agri-food sector and remains its best partner (Trade surplus with the EU: €6.5 billion, +41 %). Exports to other countries (non-EU) confirmed also the good health of the French agri-food sector (Trade surplus with non-EU countries: €5.1 billion, +50%). 2011 was a good year for both the French and Irish agri-food industries. Irish agri-food and drink exports hit a record of €9 billion (CSO estimates). Source: Les échos, Agroalimentaire : l’excédent commercial fait un bond de 45 % en 2011, 13/02/2012

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The French Franchise Federation has just released its latest figures for 2011. This type of business model has reached a turnover of 49,24 billion euro representing a 2,86% increase from 2010. The number of employees also increased by 6,3%.   Personal goods came in fourth position, with 6 999 franchisees, a 10 % increase. This segment was followed by the hairstyle and esthetics industry, with 6 228 franchisees, a 8,2 % increase. According to Guy Gras, president of the French Franchise Federation, franchising is a concrete solution well adapted to the current market expectations. Guy Gras also mentioned that personal goods were the growing segment to look out for.   The annual gathering of franchises, the Franchise Fair, will take place in Paris from the 18 th to 21 st March and will welcome more than 400 exhibitors.   Fashionmag.com - 02/02/2012

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The world leader of the luxury market, LVMH, owner of Louis Vuitton, Céline, Givenchy or Guerlain, announced last week a new record for 2011. The group, owned  by the billionaire Bernard Arnault, revealed sales exceeding 23 billion euros. The net profit reached 3 billion euros, representing a 1 % increase from 2010. These results confirm that the luxury market is going strong despite the difficult economic climate worldwide. Sales were essentially driven by the Vuitton brand, mostly purchased by the Asian community who are interested in fashion and leather craft items. In 2011, sales in Asia increased by 27%, representing 35% of LVMH total sales. In regards to Europe and the United States sales represented respectively 33% and 22% of the total amount. The objective of the French Group for  2012 is to pursue its dynamic growth for all brands. Bernard Arnault also wishes to strengthen his position on all international markets. Fashionmag.com - 2nd of February 2012

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    French consumers will face higher electricity prices in 2012 due to necessary investments in maintenance to their ageing power grid,  increments on the contributions to the renewable energy fund (CESP), safety upgrades in their 58 nuclear reactors mandated by the Nuclear Safety Authority, after the disaster of the Fukushima plant in Japan, the ARENH mechanism, that forces Electricité de France (EDF) to sell a quarter of its nuclear output to its competitors, and the yearly inflationary adjustment that hovers just below 3%; all this factors will add up to an annual increase of 6%, that would be maintained until 2016, explained Philippe De Ladoucette, head of the Commission of Energy Regulation. He warned that the increase could reach a 30% over the same period, if changes to the current regulatory framework governing energy prices are not enacted.   With an upcoming presidential election in April - May, the French Government is under political pressure to keep prices low to consumers that already have been hit with recent increases in other sources of energy. Other factors would likely push prices up, like pressures from Brussels on the French Government end with state controlled tariffs that keep electricity prices approximately 30% lower than their neighbors; or the possible shut down of the oldest nuclear plants in the county, already scheduled as part of a phase-off policy, supported by the opposition, but resisted by the UMP government. The increasing prices would likely be off-putting to the 35 million French households (60% of the population) that have shifted to electricity only power.   Written by Agathe Damour ( agathe.damour.int@ubifrance.fr )

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