Ireland: The health of Guinness sales in Ireland causes anxiety

The amount of Guinness drunk in Ireland has declined by more than a third in the past decade, casting a shadow over the stout's 250th anniversary celebrations, which kick off last week on St Patrick's Day, The Guardian reported on March, 15.

Years of price rises and costly advertising campaigns have seen the headline value of Irish sales hold up despite falling consumption. But there are concerns about the health of Guinness sales in its home market, as Ireland faces one of the toughest recessions in the developed world.

Speaking from Dublin, Guinness's global brand director, Brian Duffy, said: "Because the trend is negative doesn't mean it is not a place where we want to be successful and where success is important. It is a significant profit contributor."

Meanwhile, plunging land prices in Dublin and a sharp downturn in the wider Irish economy have disrupted plans to sell off part of the 60-acre St James's Gate brewery site - owner Diageo's most valuable property asset and once the largest brewery in the world - in order to fund a €650m overhaul of Guinness's Irish brewing facilities. These plans are now on hold.

18 March, 2009