FDBusiness.com

Russian Standard, world’s leading Russian premium vodka, has launched on the Icelandic market through the distribution network of Haugen-Gruppen, a leading importer of wines and spirits in the Nordic region. The Russian Standard Vodka portfolio dominates the premium segment in Russia with a 35 percent market share and sales of over 3.3 million cases in 2016 in Russia and more than 80 export markets across Europe, the US and Asia. Russian Standard Vodka continues to show excellent sales growth of 14% in January-September 2016 over the prior year, driven by strong results in the UK, Germany, Israel and Russia.

Due to its high quality and global recognition, Russian Standard Vodka has successfully passed the initial trial term in the government-regulated stores (Monopoly) and qualified for guaranteed distribution on the Icelandic market. The plan for 2017 is to further establish Russian Standard Vodka in the market and attack the Horeca market full force, increasing both quantity and brand recognition of the Icelandic population.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Haugen-Gruppen Vodka in Iceland. As vodka is the biggest category in Iceland, taking 38% share of all spirits, and we’re positive that Russian Standard Vodka will become a clear favourite among vodka connoisseurs in Iceland,” comments Jonathan Ashworth, EMEA Managing Director of Roust.

Roust is the largest integrated spirits producer and distributor in Central and Eastern Europe and the second-largest vodka producer by volume in the world, with over 27 million 9l cases sold annually in more than 80 markets. Roust owns production facilities and distribution centres across Poland, Hungary, Russia and Italy. Roust’s extensive portfolio includes flagship vodka brands Russian Standard, Green Mark, Parliament and Zhuravli, as well as the authentic Polish vodka Żubrówka. Roust also owns Gancia, the legendary Italian company that created the first Italian sparkling wine.

“We at Haugen-Gruppen are thrilled to have introduced yet another global player to our portfolio. The initial reaction of the market has been positive to say the least both On-trade and Off-trade. Having advanced from the trial section of the Icelandic Monopoly to the permanent portfolio in the least possible time is not only amazing but another proof of the quality of Russian Standard Vodka,” says Birkir Gudmundsson, Haugen-Gruppen Managing Director.