Retail In brief South Africa

Black Label outsells Castle

A report in Sunday's Business Times says that Castle Lager's market share has apparently fallen from about 65% to below 50%, and that Carling Black Label sales now exceed the once-popular lager. About 10 years ago Castle lost its leadership position to Lion Lager, but was rescued by an aggressive ad campaign. Lion's market share fell below 5% earlier this year and the brand was relaunched in silver and blue colours, the recipe was changed and the alcohol content was reduced from 5% to 4.5%. An SABMiller spokesman said however that the relaunch had not met expectations and that the product could possibly be "spruced up" further.

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