British drinks group Diageo, the maker of Guinness stout and Smirnoff vodka, on Wednesday said the coronavirus would slash annual sales by up to 325 million pounds ($422 million, 388 million euros).
Diageo, which produces also Baileys liqueur and Johnnie Walker whisky, said sales for the group's financial year ending June 30 would be impacted by between 225 million pounds and 325 million pounds owing to the spreading virus. Operating profit would be hit by between 140 million pounds and 200 million pounds, it added in a statement.
Diageo said "significant disruption since the end of January" to its business in China was expected "to last at least into" next month.
"Thereafter, we expect a gradual improvement with consumption returning to normal levels towards the end of fiscal 2020."
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