Heineken to cut thousands of jobs as beer demand slows and growth cools
Heineken has announced plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs globally as part of a new cost and productivity drive, after reporting solid but moderating profit growth in its 2025 full-year earnings.
The Dutch brewer, the world’s second largest by market value, said it is adjusting its structure to operate more efficiently through the end of the decade.
While annual results came in slightly ahead of expectations, the company lowered its profit growth guidance for 2026, reflecting weaker beer demand and a more cautious trading environment across several markets, including parts of Europe and Asia.
Workforce cuts under 2030 strategy
The job reductions will take place over the next two years and form part of Heineken’s strategy running through 2030.
The company said the productivity programme is designed to unlock significant savings and support higher growth with fewer resources.
As a result, its global workforce will shrink by between 5,000 and 6,000 roles.
The brewer has not detailed which regions or divisions will be most affected, but described the move as a structural step to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
The announcement comes as global brewers face softer beer consumption in parts of Europe and other mature markets, alongside ongoing cost pressures and more value-conscious consumers.
Earnings beat expectations
Alongside the restructuring plan, Heineken reported that organic operating profit rose 4.4% in 2025.
That exceeded analyst expectations of around 4% growth.
The increase was driven by pricing discipline, cost management, and performance in key markets.
The group’s portfolio includes Heineken, Tiger, and Amstel, among other brands.
According to its 2025 full-year report, the company continued to prioritise premiumisation and margin protection, even as overall demand trends remained uneven across geographies and channels.
Trimmed profit guidance for 2026
Despite the earnings beat, Heineken revised its profit growth expectations for 2026.
The brewer now expects operating profit to grow between 2% and 6% next year.
That compares with guidance issued a year earlier for 4% to 8% growth in 2025.
The narrower and lower range signals a more measured pace of expansion as beer volumes remain under pressure in certain regions.
The company said it is preparing for continued volatility in consumer spending, input costs, currency movements, and competitive dynamics.
Industry recalibration
Heineken’s move reflects a broader recalibration across the brewing sector.
Rising input costs in recent years, shifting drinking habits, and competitive pricing have forced major players to reassess cost structures.
By cutting jobs and tightening its growth assumptions, Heineken is seeking to protect margins while sustaining investment in its core brands and strategic priorities.
Although 2025 delivered slightly stronger profit growth than forecast, management’s updated guidance indicates that growth momentum is likely to cool in the near term as demand remains subdued.
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