William Grant & Sons and SPI Group have decided to end their current contract for importation, distribution and marketing of Stolichnaya Vodka in the US after 31 December 2013.
The decision comes after SPI Group decided to come up with its own importing company in the US and handle its brands directly. The new company is scheduled to start operations from 1 January 2014.
The contract, which began in January 2009 under challenging conditions, allowed Stolichnaya brand to grow through creative initiatives like usage of the phrase 'Most Original People Deserve The Most Original Vodka,' and innovative 360 degrees programming to bring that message to life.
SPI Group CEO Val Mendeleev said the time has come for them to make their own path forward in the US.
"We are therefore delighted to announce that we will be creating our own importing company. We thank William Grant & Sons for their contributions to Stoli, we wish them well on their owned brands, and we look forward to what will be a continuing future of innovation and success for the Stolichnaya brand," Mendeleev added.
