Analysis: Spirits brands set to make the most of Christmas trading period

With the 12 weeks leading up to Christmas the most crucial for all in the drinks trade, Erin Smith looks at how the spirits sector fares at this time of year.

The Smith Report: A consumer-centric Christmas

As we head into November and the throes of the busiest trading period of the year, many retailers are changing strategies in an effort to pull in more consumers during the final weeks of 2015.

Tesco drops 300 wines from range and eliminates half price deals

Tesco finally unveiled the full extent of their new range and pricing policy at their autumn press tasting in London Tuesday.

Majestic Wine to eliminate six-bottle minimum

Majestic Wine is implementing a new pricing strategy beginning tomorrow, which includes eliminating the six-bottle minimum that the store has had in place since 2009.

Lidl aims to lift Christmas spirits

Discount supermarket Lidl is expanding its spirits range ahead of the Christmas rush.

Armit launches #LoveLeVolte Week

Fine-wine merchant Armit Wines is launching its inaugural "Love Le Volte" promotion next week.

Majestic wins exclusive rights to Graham Norton's Sauvignon Blanc

BBC chat show host Graham Norton is to launch his own wine in the UK through an exclusive distribution agreement with Majestic Wine.

Borough Wines launches new store with Château Castera tasting

Borough Wines is launching its new Shoreditch store and wine bar with an exclusive event for the press and trade.

M brand expands with new central London wine shop

The M restaurant group is to launch a specialist wine shop in Victoria, London.

BWS suffers as supermarket range cull starts to bite

Beer, wines and spirits (BWS) has been among the hardest-hit categories as supermarkets culled their ranges this year, according to new research.

Co-operative to sell wine made from Australian and New Zealand grapes

The Co-operative is to list a wine made with grapes from both Australia and New Zealand among a number of new additions to its range.

Conviviality completes Matthew Clark acquisition and confirms change of name

Bargain Booze and Wine Rack owner Conviviality Retail has completed its £200 million acquisition of Matthew Clark.

Tesco boss claims 'sustained improvement' but first-half profits fall by 54%

Tesco saw group operating profit before exceptional items fall by 54.6% to £354 million in the 26 weeks to August 29.

Majestic invites customers on to tasting team in craft beer push

Majestic customers are being given the chance to help choose a British beer to be stocked in all 211 of its stores as part of an Oktoberfest promotion.

Oddbins unveils The Palate amateur wine tasting competition winner for 2015

A waiter from Kilburn in north London has won this year's Oddbins The Palate amateur wine tasting competition.

Former Direct Wines boss Hodder joins Majestic board

Majestic has announced another change to its board with the appointment of former Direct Wines boss Greg Hodder as a non-executive director.

Sainsbury's edges back into growth in second quarter

Sales at Sainsbury's nudged into growth in the second quarter of its current financial year.

Waitrose wins contract for Telegraph readers' wines service

The Telegraph newspaper has signed a deal for Waitrose to supply its reader wine offers.

Aldi to launch online by-the-case wine sales early next year

Aldi is planning to launch online wine sales early in 2016.

Former B&Q executive to join Majestic as managing director