Suntory looks to premium whiskey to beat U.S. cost inflation

Subsidiary Beam seeks 25% profit margin by changing brand lineup: president

Suntory Holdings will focus more heavily on premium drinks in the U.S. to boost margins as costs rise. (Photo by Shotaro Mori)

TAKAFUMI HOTTA, Nikkei staff writer

November 26, 2022 02:40 JST

NEW YORK -- Japanese drinks maker Suntory Holdings will expand its high-end whiskey and other premium offerings as it seeks to widen the profit margin in the key U.S. market, President Takeshi Niinami tells Nikkei.

Niinami spoke with Nikkei during a recent visit to New York for the opening of subsidiary Beam Suntory's new headquarters there, following a relocation from Chicago amid the company's expansion push.