Two key subsidiaries of the drinks distributor owe RMB127 million in back taxes and late-payment charges. Their location highlights the role of regional tax incentives, but the company has not disclosed what triggered the bill.
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Spirits
Authorities in Malaysia's Sabah state uncovered two separate liquor smuggling cases within a single week this month, the latest in a string of incidents that officials and industry observers link to the country's steep alcohol taxes and an unusual quirk in its tax code that has turned a nearby duty-free island into a smuggling gateway. Read More
Beer sales in India jumped 17% in the April-June quarter as rising taxes on spirits widened the price gap between the two categories, industry data show. Read More
Wang He’s HK$11.26 million offer would make him the Chinese wine producer’s largest shareholder as it expands into an already troubled spirits market. Read More
French spirits group Rémy Cointreau has appointed Monika Alcobev Limited as its exclusive distributor and marketing partner across India. Read More
India will begin cutting its 150% import tariff on British whisky and gin this month under a landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, opening the world's largest whisky market further to overseas producers while offering domestic distillers a decade to adjust. Read More
Global drinks giant Diageo is preparing for a sweeping round of job cuts as newly appointed chief executive Sir Dave Lewis accelerates a restructuring aimed at reviving growth after several years of weakening spirits demand. Read More
China has officially named its 80 biggest drinks chains for the first time. The leader runs more than 3,500 stores; the gap to No. 80 is over 350-fold. Read More
The global alcohol market contracted for a third consecutive year in 2025 and for the first time spirits overtook wine in volume. Read More
WSET says the redesign reflects a more global, digital-first future but critics argue it has stripped away the prestige and heritage that once defined the qualification. Read More