{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-28/lark-distillery-sales-fall-china-delay","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-28/lark-distillery-sales-fall-china-delay.md","title":"Lark Distillery Sales Fall 4.5% as China Rollout Slips","headline":"Lark Distillery Net Sales Fall 4.5% to $3.5 Million as Delayed China Rollout Ends Growth Run","description":"Lark Distillery's September-quarter net sales fell 4.5% to $3.5 million as a delayed China rollout and distributor onboarding cut export sales 37.7%.","section":"Earnings & Results","published_at":"2026-10-28T06:28:41+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-28T06:28:41+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Lark Distilling's net sales fell 4.5% to $3.5 million in the September quarter, ending eight consecutive quarters of growth.","Export sales dropped 37.7% to $0.6 million while domestic net sales rose 7.9% to $2.9 million.","CEO Stuart Gregor said the China rollout, including onboarding a new distribution partner, has taken longer than planned.","Cash fell to $12.9 million from $14.3 million, with an undrawn $5 million NAB facility."],"companies":[{"name":"Lark Distillery","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0009hly/lark-distillery","website":"https://larkdistillery.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"Food & Drink Business","title":"China delay ends Lark’s growth run - Food & Drink Business","url":"https://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/news/china-delay-ends-lark-s-growth-run"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Earnings & Results","Lark Distillery"],"body_markdown":"[Lark](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0009hly/lark-distillery) Distilling's net sales fell 4.5% to $3.5 million in the September quarter, ending eight consecutive quarters of growth, as export sales stalled while the company brings on a new distributor in China. [Food & Drink Business](https://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/news/china-delay-ends-lark-s-growth-run) reported the results. Lark is a Tasmanian single malt whisky producer listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.\n\n## Lark's Export Sales Drop 37.7% on China Timing\n\nExport sales were $50,000, down from 15% of sales in the prior corresponding period, when Lark shipped an initial pipefill order. Lark said replenishment shipments to other Asian markets were also delayed. Total international sales fell 37.7% to $0.6 million.\n\nLark CEO Stuart Gregor said exports were behind expectations. \"The China rollout, including onboarding a new distribution partner, has taken longer than planned,\" Gregor said.\n\nGlobal travel retail partly offset the decline, rising 32.3% to $0.6 million, helped by new distribution points including Singapore's Changi Airport. Domestic net sales rose 7.9% to $2.9 million. Direct-to-consumer sales, covering Lark's hospitality venues and its own ecommerce, grew 16.4% to $2 million. Business-to-business sales fell 7.5% to $0.9 million, which Lark put down to the timing of shipments to distributor Spirits Platform after a strong end to FY26.\n\nThe company spent $1.16 million on operations in the quarter. Customer receipts jumped to $6.9 million, up from $4.8 million in the June quarter, as it collected on strong late-FY26 sales, including to The Whisky Club. Manufacturing and operating payments more than doubled to $3.4 million, reflecting excise and supplier payments on a large payables balance at 30 June, as well as inventory and packaging purchases. Advertising and marketing spend held at $1.5 million as Lark continues to back its Signature range. Gregor said prompted brand awareness in Australia had risen from 8 to 10 per cent over six months, and consideration from 3 to 5 per cent. Cash fell to $12.9 million from $14.3 million, and Lark has an undrawn $5 million NAB facility. Its whisky bank remains at about 2.4 million litres.\n\n## Lark's Full-Year Sales and Export Push\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Lark posted FY26 net sales of A$18.0 million, up 15% year-over-year, including Q4FY26 net sales of A$5.0 million, up 44% year-over-year. The records describe Lark as a micro-cap Tasmanian whisky producer pursuing export market expansion into the UK, North America and Asia alongside the domestic Australian market.\n\n## Changi Debut and Board Change Preceded the Results\n\nIn July 2026, Lark launched its Asia travel retail debut at Singapore Changi Airport with Lotte Duty Free, available across terminals 1-4, Moodiedavittreport reported. In September 2026, Lark appointed Stuart Gregor, co-founder of Four Pillars, as independent non-executive director effective 1 October, replacing Laura McBain, Drinkstrade reported. The move supports Lark's international expansion goals, which include building brand value and maintaining sales momentum.\n\n## Lark's Next Reporting Date\n\nLark's September-quarter results cover the three months to 30 September 2026, and the company has not stated a date for its next quarterly update.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}