Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sterling holds on to last week's gains

Published: 19 December, 2011

Sterling is holding on to gains against the euro as the euro zone debt crisis cast a shadow over the single currency.

Amps Fine Wines scoops New Zealand award

Published: 19 December, 2011

Amps Fine Wine is heading to New Zealand after coming top in a competition encouraging on-trade buyers to boost wine sales.

'Crazy' offers dismay Champagne suppliers

Published: 19 December, 2011

Champagne suppliers have expressed dismay at deep discounting in the category this year, at a time when their own costs are rising.

Laithwaites Wine extends Xmas order cut off

Published: 19 December, 2011

Laithwaites Wine has extended its Christmas order cut-off date until 1pm on December 22, in order to cater for the last minute rush.

Budweiser supports 'Designate a Driver' campaign

Published: 16 December, 2011

Anheuser-Busch InBev UK, owner of Budweiser is investing in its second year of the 'Designate a Driver' TV and radio advertising campaign, throughout December.

Drinks trade fears new year hangover

Published: 16 December, 2011

The season's deep discounting and the accelerated fall in wine volumes in the last weeks of the year will have a lingering hangover effect on the trade in 2012.

Sterling has strong weak against euro, but falls against dollar

Published: 16 December, 2011

Sterling has had a strong week against the euro, strengthening to a 10-month high and holding ground as European policymakers struggled to come to grips with the euro zone crisis.

First Cape "would work" with shamed Strictly Come Dancing star next year

Published: 15 December, 2011

Brand Phoenix has denied that BBC Strictly Come Dancing star, Alesha Dixon, has been dropped as the face of its First Cape Café Collection lower alcohol wine brand following an appearance on a TV chat show where she was seen drinking wine out of a bottle.

Radcliffe's Wines revamps website to offer food and wine 'experience'

Published: 15 December, 2011

Thierry's owned Radcliffe's Wines, has revamped its website in order to demystify wine by offering consumers a complete food and wine experience.

English sparkling on cusp of popularity

Published: 15 December, 2011

English sparkling wine is set to become a mainstream drink of choice, according to new report that shows over half of sparkling wine drinkers in the UK have tried sparkling wine from English vineyards at least once.

London City Bond reshuffles management team

Published: 15 December, 2011

London City Bond has shaken up its senior management team with the departure of non-executive chairman Jeff Stanton.

Festive sales on a 'knife edge', says BRC

Published: 15 December, 2011

Festive sales are balanced on a knife edge, says the British Retail Consortium, as consumers leave their shopping late.

Sterling hits €1.19/£1

Published: 15 December, 2011

Sterling hit the highest level against the euro for nearly 10 months yesterday, breaking through €1.19/£1 barrier.

Sterling hits high as investors move from euro

Published: 14 December, 2011

Sterling hit a nine month high against the euro yesterday, after comments by Angela Merkel unsettled investors already disappointed by the outcome of last week's EU summit.

Strictly judge booted off as face of First Cape

Published: 14 December, 2011

Alesha Dixon has been dropped as the face of First Cape's Café Collection, following her "uncharacteristic" behaviour on a TV chat show, where she was filmed drinking wine from the bottle.

Yvon Mau aims to regain lost ground for Bordeaux in £10 to £20 range

Published: 14 December, 2011

Yvon Mau aims to regain lost ground in the UK's £10 to £20 sector with the launch of new range of wines from Bordeaux.

Shake-up at Laithwaites Wine

Published: 14 December, 2011

Direct Wines has announced a reshuffle of its buying and merchandising teams which sees current head of buying Thomas Woolrych make a transatlantic move to take up the role of wine director in the US.

New green 'milk man' scheme from Jascots

Published: 14 December, 2011

Jascots Wine Merchants has turned milk man in its new eco-friendly scheme.

Acker Merrall & Condit launches "Twelve Days of Christmas" wine auction

Published: 14 December, 2011

US rare wine auction house, Acker Merrall & Condit has launched a "Twelve Days of Christmas", a worldwide auction offering gifts of 'incomparable rarity and lavish value'.

VIDEO: Big Wine Festival wants to attract families

Published: 14 December, 2011

The Big Wine Festival wants to attract "average customers" and families to its June event, in an effort to broaden the appeal beyond "crusty wine buffs".