Pernod has been hit by a government crackdown on luxury gift-giving and personal spending by civil servants in China Like rivals Diageo and Remy Cointreau, Pernod has been hit by a government crackdown on luxury gift-giving and personal spending by civil servants in China, as well as by slowing economic growth in the world's second-biggest economy. Sales of Pernod Ricard products from wholesalers to retailers in China rose 7% year-on-year by volume in the three months from December to February, the company said.