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Trade and national press divided on duty

Published:  07 March, 2024

Taking a glass-half-full approach, much of the right-wing press applauded Jeremy Hunt’s extension of the alcohol duty freeze till February 2025, described as a ‘victory for drinkers’ up and down the country by one tabloid. 

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Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published:  22 December, 2023

Following another turbulent year for the drinks trade, Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus the hopes and plans for businesses in the year ahead.

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Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Jack Green, Vinca

Published:  06 December, 2023

Following another eventful year for the drinks trade Jack Green, co-founder of canned wine company Vinca, reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus hopes and plans for the year ahead, in our annual Q&A series.

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Trade reflects on ‘mixed-bag’ Autumn Statement

Published:  27 November, 2023

Following rumours of a second duty hike in line with inflation, the government quelled fears by announcing a freeze on alcohol duty in the Autumn Statement last week.

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Navigating Port’s choppy waters

Published:  27 November, 2023

In some quarters, Port sales received something of a lockdown boost as consumers made the most of longer, more relaxed at-home-drinking occasions. Jo Gilbert asks, can restaurants utilise this goodwill to maximise sales this winter?

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Government is failing hospitality businesses, public warns

Published:  21 November, 2023

The UK Spirits Alliance (UKSA), representing hundreds of small businesses across the UK, has called on the government to back hospitality and distilleries by freezing duty on spirits at the Autumn Statement.  

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Spirits sales down 20% after August hikes

Published:  20 November, 2023

Wine and spirit businesses continue to urge the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty at the Autumn Statement.

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Oxford Landing brings ‘duty-friendly’ wines to market

Published:  16 November, 2023

Oxford Landing Wines, owned by Australian winery Hill-Smith Family Estates, has launched two low-alcohol wines to the UK market.

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Fears grow for second alcohol duty rise in less than a year

Published:  13 November, 2023

Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty until the end of parliament, when Jeremy Hunt delivers his Autumn Statement on 22 November.

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Duty hikes: Exploring abv options

Published:  09 October, 2023

With autumn tastings in full swing, and with it the opportunity for retailers, wholesalers and suppliers to show off new stock, Harpers wondered if there might be an influx of lower-abv wines in light of the duty hikes. James Bayley reports.

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Independents: Paying the duty bill

Published:  15 September, 2023

Jo Gilbert reports on the results of Harpers’ latest survey, where we asked independent retailers to let us know which cost pressures are affecting them most – with inflation and duty unsurprisingly leading the charge.

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Multiples: Shoppers to pay price for duty

Published:  07 August, 2023

With wine duty set to increase by 20% and spirits duty by more than 10%, how might supermarkets offset these costs? James Bayley reports.

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