Pernod Ricard battles $300M tax demand, CCI probe, and Delhi retail shutout in top market
World No. 2 spirits maker faces a multi-front squeeze in India: a $300M+ federal tax demand, a CCI antitrust probe into exclusive retailer arrangements, an ED investigation linked to Delhi's scrapped 2021 liquor policy, and a three-year lockout from Delhi retail after its licence was rejected in April 2023.
What happened
Pernod Ricard, India's largest liquor market by volume, faces $300M+ federal tax demand, CCI antitrust probe over exclusive retailer deals, ED investigation
Key facts
- $300 million tax demand
- $23 million alleged illegal profits
- $314 million refund case
- licence rejected April 2023
Why this matters
India's regulatory turbulence may stall organic growth and create openings to acquire distressed local distribution or brands, while reinforcing the case to diversify exposure across other emerging spirits markets.