Progressive Grocer Honors Anheuser-Busch As Category Captain

ST. LOUIS (Nov. 4, 2008) - Progressive Grocer, a leading trade magazine serving the grocery industry, again named Anheuser-Busch as Category Captain for the beer category.

Anheuser-Busch was recognized for its ability to develop tools to enhance the beverage business of retail customers. In selecting Anheuser-Busch, Progressive Grocer highlighted Reco, a tool the company designed to enhance its planogram management tool and improve feedback to chain customers about retailer compliance of their plans. The system has helped retailers reduce their out-of-stocks and helps to ensure they stock a consistent mix of products to meet the unique needs of their consumers.

"We are honored to once again be named a Category Captain by Progressive Grocer," said Joe Patti, vice president of category management for Anheuser-Busch. "Our mission in category management is to be the indispensable trusted choice of our retailers, and we appreciate the recognition for the work of our category managers across the country."

Progressive Grocer also cited the company's work in marrying customer segmentation data with retailers' customer loyalty data and the company's innovation in product development and distribution following the summer's highly successful launch of Bud Light Lime.

"Our goal is to provide our retailers with the products and packaging that best appeal to their shoppers," said Bill Laufer, vice president, grocery sales for Anheuser-Busch. "With the introduction of Bud Light Lime, we worked with retailers well in advance of the launch to help them sell the product by providing them with the strategy behind the brand, packaging options, target audience, sales expectations, recommended shelf placement and marketing plans. Because we worked closely with retailers to support the launch of this product, we have been able to obtain a 0.9 share in supermarkets for a product that was released at the end of August (IRI Supermarket Data, week ending Oct. 19).

For full coverage of the winners of Progressive Grocer's Category Captains Awards, see the November 2008 issue, or visit www.progressivegrocer.com

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country's best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2008. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world's largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.