The world's top spirits maker Diageo posted its first decline in annual sales in four years on Tuesday, with the loss led by sliding sales in Latin America and North America. The London-based parent company of more than 200 brands — including Johnnie Walker whisky, George Clooney and Randy Gerber's Casamigos tequila, Guinness stout beers, Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey and Smirnoff vodka — had sales decline by 0.6% overall, while sales in the Latin America and Caribbean region fell by 21.
Diageo said that it has "dramatically reduced" inventory to more appropriate levels in Mexico, its second-largest market in the Latin America and Caribbean region. However, the company noted that "this market continues to face persistent challenges with a highly competitive environment and consumer downtrading in tequila and scotch.