In the crisis, the third brewer in France, AB InBev, has no shortage of ideas. In addition to the manufacture of disinfectant solution with pure alcohol removed from its alcohol-free beers, the Belgian-Brazilian giant, known in France for its brands Stella Artois, Leffe, Hoegaarden or Corona, is preparing for post-confinement. In addition to extended payment terms granted to its French customers outside the home (bars, cafes, restaurants ...), the group opened a dedicated website for them on Thursday. Called “Solidarity Bar”, it welcomes those from its client establishments who have been forced to keep their doors closed in France for more than two weeks.
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From this Friday, the Internet user can buy gift vouchers of 5, 10 or 20 euros to offer or use himself once these establishments reopen. A sum that the brewer with 663 million euros in turnover in France will double, to the tune of 3 million euros. In total, the envelope for these support measures for its customers will vary between 15 and 20 million euros.
Launched in Belgium a few days ago under the name of “Café courage”, the project has already attracted 8,400 establishments across the border and raised 1 million euros. Completely paid back to bars or restaurants, these prepaid sums will support treasuries hit hard by the crisis. But the brewer, who makes 30% of his turnover outside the home, also sees it as an advantage in boosting the resumption of traffic once the epidemic has passed. After being confined for several weeks, AB InBev quickly plans to make people forget the time of “Stay at home!”.
