E-commerce saves AB InBev

Despite the corona crisis, AB InBev again sold more beer in the third quarter. The world’s largest brewer rapidly adapted its supply chain and saw a particularly strong increase in online sales.

Against the trend

In the period from July to September, volumes increased by almost 2%. This resulted in an increase in turnover of approximately 4%. AB InBev surprised both friend and foe with these results, because analysts were expecting a 4% decline, writes newspaper De Tijd.
 

In Brazil, the brewer sold a quarter more beer. There was also strong growth in key markets such as Mexico and the United States. In the entire North America region, sales increased by almost a fifth.
 

The growth figures are remarkable, as the corona virus has never completely disappeared and still grips large parts of the world. Only yesterday, competitor Heineken announced that some 20% of jobs are at risk. The Dutch brewer sold more than 2% less in the third quarter.

Home consumption

AB InBev, on the other hand, succeeded in boosting home consumption. The brewer did this by focusing more than ever on online sales. The company launched new webshops for the end consumer and installed a digital platform for traders. For example, Jupiler got its own webshop in Belgium.
 

Meanwhile, the company is working on the further reduction of debts. In the past quarter, AB InBev repaid 11.4 billion dollar (9.7 billion euro) of debts. Nevertheless, the brewer cancelled the interim dividend. “Although our business is performing better, we continue to face uncertainty and volatility caused by the covid-19 pandemic,” the company says in a statement.