Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

CMA investigates William Grant & Sons' acquisition of The Famous Grouse

The Famous Grouse

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Wednesday launched an inquiry into the anticipated acquisition of The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt and affiliated brands by William Grant & Sons Group.

Edrington and William Grant & Sons reached an agreement for the sale of the brands in September last year. William Grant & Sons will buy the brands from The 1887 Company, a subsidiary of Edrington.


Founded in 1896 in Perthshire, Scotland, The Famous Grouse is a much-loved blended whisky brand that would add to William Grant & Sons’ portfolio of renowned whiskies and spirits, that includes Glenfiddich, Grant's, The Balvenie, and Hendrick's Gin, among others.

Edrington, which owns The Macallan, Highland Park and The Glenrothes single malts, said the deal marks the next stage of the company’s strategy to focus on the growth opportunities in the ultra-premium spirits category.

The CMA has invited comments on the transaction from any interested party and a decision on its initial investigation is expected by 27 March.

More for you

Warning about illegal high-strength nicotine pouches.

Nicotine pouches

iStock image

Alarm raised over rise in illegal nicotine pouches

Experts have raised warning over illegal high strength nicotine pouches saying they could cause inadvertent overdosing and harm to teenagers and young adults.

According to a recent BBC report, there has been an alarming rise in illegal nicotine pouches containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Former Co-op top executive joins Asda ​

​Former Co-op top executive joins Asda ​

Supermarket Asda has announced the joining of Jo Whitfield in its board of directors as a Non-executive Director to support its turnaround plans.

Whitfield previously spent eight years at Asda from 2008 onwards, holding a number of senior positions in operations, e-commerce, commercial, general merchandise and money & mobile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Favourit kicks off 110th year with Ulster University collaboration

Pictured at the launch of the partnership is the culinary students with (centre back) Sean Owens, Ulster University, (front l to r) Michael Gillies, Ulster University, Laimis Minelga, Favourit and Favourit ambassador, Ian Hunter, Belfast Cookery School.

Favourit kicks off 110th year with Ulster University collaboration

is celebrating a landmark 110 years in business in 2025. In the first of a series of plans to be revealed throughout the year, Favourit has announced that it is collaborating with Ulster University to create a special award for aspiring leaders in culinary arts.

As part of this partnership, Favourit’s ranges will be incorporated into a BSc Culinary Arts Management module, offering students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and culinary expertise using the Belfast-based food company’s range of herbs, spices and seasonings.

Keep ReadingShow less
Interest rate cut: Bira warns of troubles still ahead

Interest rate cut: Bira warns

iStock

Interest rate cut: Bira warns of troubles still ahead

Bira (British Independent Retailers Association), which represents over 6,000 independent retail businesses across the UK, has warned that they face troubled times ahead despite today's Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.5 per cent, as the Bank halves its growth forecast for 2025 to just 0.75 per cent.

"The reduction in interest rates was expected and is welcome news for the retail sector," said Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre. "We have consistently maintained that rates have unnecessarily remained high for longer than required, and we anticipate this reduction will help boost consumer confidence."

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg returns to profit after exiting Russian market

Carlsberg returns to profit

Carlsberg returns to profit as sale of Russia subsidiary completes

Danish brewer Carlsberg said Thursday that it returned to profit in 2024 thanks in part to completing the sale of its Russian subsidiary.

Like many Western companies Carlsberg sought to pull out of Russia after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but it was only in December 2024 that it was able to complete a sale of the Baltika brewery.

Keep ReadingShow less