Miller Sales Climb – Sort Of
Growth buoyed by new brands
Sales for Miller Brewing Company grew by 4.3% in the fourth quarter of 2006, pushed by two new brands that Miller purchased last year from McKenzie River Corp.
Without the inclusion of Sparks and Steel Reserve, both purchased last summer by Miller’s parent company SBAMiller for $215 million, sales for Miller were down 0.9% in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year.
Miller Lite, Miller’s largest selling brand fared well with a fourth quarter increase of 1.5%. Year-to-date sales to retailers for the company were down 2.9%.
SAB Miller posted better results internationally with a sales increase 10% of in the fourth quarter.
