Diageo hit by first post-Covid sales fall but Guinness soars in Great Britain

Great Britain and Ireland provided the biggest boost to of Guinness, particularly the non-alcoholic version. Photograph: Guinness/PA

Global sales at the drinks multinational Diageo have declined for the first time since the Covid pandemic, although Great Britain bucked the trend thanks to a rise in the popularity of Guinness and related drinks.

Sales increased 5% in Great Britain, a rise credited to the rise in popularity of the Irish stout and spin-offs such as an alcohol-free version and its Nitrosurge home-pouring technology.