Follow this company ’ sales to retailers in the United States declined 2.7 percent in the three-month period ended June 30, according to a trading update issued Thursday by SABMiller plc SABMiller plc

Follow this company of London, one of the beer brewing joint venture’s corporate parents.

A continued weak economic environment, ongoing high unemployment levels and subdued consumer spending affected by high fuel prices and poor weather contributed to the decline, according to SABMiller management.

According to the update:

Premium light beer sales to retailers declined in low single digits, with Miller Lite declining by mid-single digits as Coors Light volumes grew slightly.

The Tenth and Blake Beer Co., the craft and import beer division of MillerCoors, maintained its strong performance with double-digit growth, led by the Blue Moon brand, including its seasonal brand extensions, and the brands in the Leinenkugel portfolio.

The below-premium segment saw a mid-single-digit volume decline as industry uptrading continued. Overall domestic sales to wholesalers declined 3.1 percent in the quarter.

Chicago-based MillerCoors, which launched in July 2008, operates a major brewery and has administrative offices on Milwaukee’s west side.