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

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Joanna PartridgeFebruary 11, 2026 at 01:42 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Heineken, the world's second-largest brewer, will cut 6,000 jobs globally over the next two years, representing nearly 7% of its workforce. The cuts, affecting brewing and white-collar roles, are a response to falling beer demand and "challenging market conditions." The company lowered its profit growth forecasts for 2026 and aims to accelerate productivity and unlock savings. This announcement follows a 1.2% drop in beer volumes last year, attributed to squeezed household finances, health concerns, and the impact of weight-loss drugs on consumer habits. The job cuts also come after the recent resignation of CEO Dolf van den Brink, who faced pressure to improve efficiency.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

North America 40% AJ Bell 40% Russ Mould 40% Amstel 50% Tiger 50% Harold van den Broek 60% Europe ×260% Dolf van den Brink ×270% Heineken ×990%

Keywords

job cuts 100% heineken 90% beer 80% falling demand 70% profit growth 60% cost savings 50% market conditions 50% chief executive 40% alcohol consumption 40%