AB-InBev takes back control of Budweiser’s sales

Seemingly unhappy with Kirin’s efforts to market Budweiser in Japan, AB-InBev has decided to take the brand into its own hands from 2019. It has cancelled its licensing partnership with Kirin, which has produced and sold Budweiser domestically since 1993, media reported in July 2018. Allegedly, Kirin has struggled to increase the sales of Budweiser. Instead, it has focused on bolstering the sales of its own beer brands.

Under the new arrangement, AB-InBev’s local unit will import and sell the brand, which has already taken over the sales of Hoegaarden and Stella Artois brands this January from Asahi.

The decision comes at a time when Japan’s beer market continues to shrink. But, as local reports say, AB-InBev has its eyes set on a liquor tax amendment that will help bring down the price of regular beer.