George Tsakistos: 'The Famous Grouse' is an important addition for Laiko Cosmos Trading

"With ''The Famous Grouse'' Laiko Cosmos Trading is strengthening its position in the alcoholic beverages market and this further strengthens us as a company," Laiko Cosmos Trading's General Manager, George Tsakistos, tells InBusinessNews.

It is recalled that the acquisition of 'The Famous Grouse' and 'Naked Malt' products by William Grant & Sons was announced on 1 July, and - in parallel - the start of their distribution in the Cypriot market exclusively by Laiko Cosmos Trading.

Laiko Cosmos Trading, one of the largest distribution companies in the Cyprus market, represents a large number of local and internationally recognized and established food and beverage products.

The company covers all distribution channels and regions of Cyprus with its own network and, holding a leading position in the alcoholic beverages category, is the authorised and exclusive distributor of William Grant & Sons products in the Cypriot market. This successful collaboration dates back over the last eight years.

On the other hand, William Grant & Sons, with a long history since 1887 and a presence in more than 200 countries around the world, produces and distributes world-renowned brands, such as Glenfiddich, Hendrick's, Grant's, Monkey Shoulder, The Famous Grouse, etc.

As George Tsakistos emphasised when speaking to InBusinessNews , the exclusive distribution of 'The Famous Grouse' by Laiko Cosmos Trading in the Cypriot market constitutes a significant addition to the company's portfolio, as, as he indicated, it is the number one blended whiskey, which is preferred by many consumers and is widely available in Cyprus.

Being enriched with new products within 2025

Asked to state whether we should expect a new acquisition by William Grant & Sons, with a corresponding positive impact on Laiko Cosmos Trading, Tsakistos noted that while there is no other move in the works, however, as he pointed out, "we are in a period of continuous acquisitions of small companies by multinationals."

At the same time, however, Tsakistos revealed that within 2025, Laiko Cosmos Trading plans to strengthen its portfolio with new products, both in food and beverages.

Finding staff is the biggest difficulty

"Our goals are timeless, in the sense that we strive to improve the quality of service to our customers, despite the difficulties we face in finding staff," the General Manager of Laiko Cosmos Trading further noted.

As he explained, regarding the difficulties in finding personnel, this is a market phenomenon that also affects other companies and which "specifically concerns the positions of drivers with a professional license."

Regarding the various conflicts and the unstable geopolitical environment in our region, but also in general, Laiko Cosmos Trading has not been affected so far.

"We emerge unscathed from the problems that wars could bring to our region, however, until we return to conditions of peace, there is always the risk that Cyprus' tourism will be affected, with all that this entails for the sector and more broadly for the economy of our country," he explained.

The movement of the food and beverage market

At the same time, when asked to describe the current picture of the food and beverage market in Cyprus, George Tsakistos noted that due to the economic situation of consumers, it has been under pressure in recent years.

"We, as Laiko Cosmos Trading, armed with the wide range of products we have, manage to overcome such major issues," he added.

"I believe that the market will continue to be under pressure," he predicted, expressing the assessment, however, that the market is showing a slight increase and that it will maintain this pace until the end of 2025.

(Source: InBusinessNews)