AB InBev mulls U.S. beer distributor shift - paper

BRUSSELS, June 25 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR), the world's largest brewer, is studying the idea of consolidating its network of independent U.S. beer distributors, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The paper cited a report by an analyst who recently met with the company's management, including Chief Executive Carlos Brito, as saying the group was exploring the concept of someday selling as much as 50 percent of its U.S. beer volume directly to retailers through its own distributors.

It currently sells only 7 percent through its own distributors, the report said.

A spokeswoman for Anheuser-Busch InBev said the group had no plan to consolidate the distribution network.

"There are no plans to significantly expand company-owned wholesalerships at this time," the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.

She added that there was no change in the brewer's U.S. strategy.

"Consolidation has been occurring for many years, and we believe it will and should continue," she said, adding that AB InBev believed this should happen voluntarily over time. (Reporting by Antonia van de Velde; Editing by Dale Hudson)