Heineken to cut 6,000 jobs as people drink less beer

Core Viewpoint - Heineken plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs globally, nearly 7% of its workforce, due to declining beer demand and challenging market conditions [1][4] Group 1: Job Cuts and Financial Strategy - The job cuts will affect brewing and white-collar roles within Heineken's 87,000-strong workforce [1] - The company aims to strengthen operations and invest in growth through these job reductions, as stated by the head of finance [2] - The cuts will occur in Europe and other markets, including previously announced measures affecting the supply network and regional divisions [2][3] Group 2: Leadership Changes and Market Challenges - The announcement follows the unexpected resignation of CEO Dolf van den Brink, who faced pressure to improve growth and productivity [3] - Heineken's profit growth forecast for 2026 has been lowered, now expected to be between 2% and 6%, compared to a previous forecast of 4-8% for 2025 [4] - The company reported a 1.2% decline in total beer volumes last year, indicating a broader trend of declining beer sales, particularly in Europe and North America [4][5] Group 3: Investor Reaction and Future Leadership - Investors reacted positively to the job cut announcement, leading to a 4% increase in Heineken's share price, reaching a six-month high [5][6] - The new CEO, who will replace van den Brink in May, will face significant challenges as many difficult decisions have already been made [6]