How retailers are using consumers to drive their brand image and strategy

The new, all-singing, all-dancing London Wine Fair was an apt setting for Harpers debate on how companies can harness consumer power to drive their businesses forward.

The Smith report: the rise of Scotch as an alternative to fine wine investors

According to a new report by Rabobank released in June, Scotch whisky is currently going through a boom. But Scotch producers could learn a thing or two from the wine trade in that regulating the peaks and troughs of supply and demand is necessary to increase value over the long term. So could Scotch whisky now rival fine wine as an alternative investment?

Why wine clubs need up their game to fully engage with their members

Hannah Saunders, international and UK business development director for contract publishing company, Cedar Communications, assesses the merits of the retailer wine clubs and finds many could take lessons from other sectors on how to fully engage and interact with their customers and members.

Wines Direct offers insights as well as new customers for major online wine players

Specialist online aggregator site, Wines Direct, is now able to give its users the chance to pick out the most popular wines by price, style, country or brand from the UK's leading multiple wine retail sites based on the behavior of its 130,000 unique users a month.

Les Grands Chais looks to UK growth through focus on quality

Considering Les Grands Chais de France is responsible for 20% of French wine exports to the UK it remains largely under the radar in the UK wine trade. Harpers.co.uk caught up with Tim North, head of its UK division, to find out about its export strategy and plans to grow distribution across all channels.

Logistics case studies

Case studies from Tesco, Matthew Clark, Enotria, Berry Bros & Rudd, Liberty Wines, Laithwaite's Wine and Jascots Wine Merchants

How to choose the right logistics partner to suit your business

Simon Jack looks at the critical steps businesses should take when choosing the right logistics partner

The Smith Report: The draw of private equity firm investing in wine

Robert Nicholson, principal at International Wine Associates exlpains the draw for private equity firms to invest in wine

Retailers look at supply chain management in order to cut costs and squeeze profits

Has there ever been more pressure on all levels of the supply chain to cut costs and squeeze profits? Harpers.co.uk looks at what options drinks companies have to make the necessary cuts but still remain competitive as the trade looks harder at cost-saving efficiencies.

Celebrities and brands: do star endorsements and link-ups really work?

News that David Beckham is to put his name to a new whisky is just the latest in a series of celebrity drink endorsements. But, Richard Foster asks, do such link-ups guarantee good sales?

UK leads shift to bulk wine buying

More than 40% of wine in the UK is now packed domestically and this could rise to as much as 60%. Gemma McKenna takes a look at the bulk wine market

Using sensory marketing to boost wine sales

Does your brand taste better to Tchaikovsky or Tinie Tempah? In a log cabin or in a grassy meadow? Bernadette John examines how big drinks brands are using sensory marketing to increase sales and loyalty among consumers

Harpers exclusive research: What consumers really think about wine

The widespread media coverage of Harpers' exclusive new report - Demystifying the Consumer: The UK Off-Trade Still Wine Market - resulted in hundreds of comments from readers online. Here we pick out a selection from the major newspaper websites. Click HERE to buy the full report.

Harpers exclusive research: Demystifying the off-trade consumer

Harpers made headlines across the UK last month with the release of its first exclusive in-depth business report into the UK off-trade, based on over 1,000 consumer interviews. Click HERE to buy the full report.

Online debate: how different channels are changing the digital landscape of wine online

We all know the importance of communicating and retailing online, but how effective is it? Harpers hosted an "Online Debate" featuring retailers and online specialists at PLB's independent merchants' roadshow in Manchester last month and found supermarkets, independents and even drink apps are changing the digital landscape of wine online.

Angela Mount reveals how to become a wine 'buying ninja'

Angela Mount, a former head of wine at the Somerfield supermarket chain, and now an independent consultant to restaurants and merchants, provided tips and advice she has learnt during her career on how to fine tune wine-buying and negotiating skills at the recent Wine Buyers' Forum held in Windsor last month.

Riesling helps reinvent German wines in key export markets

Riesling is helping a new generation of winemakers to reinvent Germany in its key export markets. But, as Anne Krebiehl discovers, they have many more surprises up their sleeve.

?The Smith Report: Could deflation let the air out of wine purchases?

Erin Smith looks at how deflation could have an impact on the wine and spirit world.

Why UK bars, restaurants and retailers are putting their faith in sherry in the UK

Value, quality, style: sherry has it all. But can it sustain its recent renaissance? Douglas Blyde asks ten of the UK's leading sherry lovers what the future has in store

test insight

IntroDUCTION