"Diageo, the company behind Guinness, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Talisker, has warned the City that Covid-19 will have an adverse impact on its operations this year.
Diageo estimates that the ongoing crisis will knock £225m to £325m off its organic net sales this year. That will wipe between £140m to £200m off organic operating profits, it reckons.
Diageo’s statement outlines how business has been hit hard in Greater China in recent weeks:
Bars and restaurants have largely been closed and there has been a substantial reduction in banqueting. As the majority of consumption is in the on-trade, we have seen significant disruption since the end of January which we expect to last at least into March.
The outbreak in several other Asian countries, especially South Korea, Japan and Thailand, has led to events being postponed, a reduction in conferences and banquets, and a drop in tourism which have all impacted on-trade consumption."
www.theguardian.com/business/live/2020/...2048f08e1332474a570