Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New signatories add to Harpers Sustainability Charter momentum

Published: 22 June, 2022

Barrique Fine Wines, Broadland Drinks and Spirits of Virtue have become the latest signatories to Harpers Sustainability Charter.

Third month of double-digit inflation hits food and drink

Published: 10 June, 2022

Data from CGA has revealed a third month of double-digit inflation for foodservice prices in April, with further rises expected and inflation unlikely to fall below 7% until at least next year.

Innovation Report: Branding Drinks

Published: 01 June, 2022

James Lawrence identifies the branding trends stealing a march for wines and spirits.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Confused by the economy?

Published: 27 May, 2022

First Brexit, then Covid, and now a major war in Europe. The economic landscape has been knocked from side to side, then up and down, and is now lurching in the most unpredictable fashion. Managing business strategy in these circumstances is extremely tough. If dealing with known unknowns is hard, facing unknown unknowns is extraordinarily challenging.

Premium soft drinks set to drive on-trade sales higher

Published: 05 May, 2022

Premium soft drinks and cocktails are in more demand than ever after consumers traded up for expensive beverages at home during lockdowns.

30 Under 30 list to debut at the Harpers Discovery Zone at LWF

Published: 13 April, 2022

30 Under 30, Harpers’ inaugural listing highlighting the industry’s best and brightest young talent, will be officially launched at the London Wine Fair (LWF), with new content also set to tackle some of the key issues around staffing and progression for those in the first chapter of their careers.

Gin and still wine lose momentum in post pandemic new normal

Published: 04 April, 2022

After enjoying a period of meteoric growth, the UK's favourite white spirit has hit a stumbling block, with a drop in hospitality market share in 2021.

St Patrick's Day, weather and sport lift drinks sales to a 2022 high

Published: 28 March, 2022

Last week’s out-of-home drinks sales were 7% up on pre-pandemic levels, CGA’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker reveals.

January deliveries up five-fold on pre-Covid levels for managed restaurants and pubs

Published: 21 February, 2022

Britain’s leading restaurant and pub groups saw their delivery sales reach five times their pre-pandemic levels in January, the CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker reveals.

Dedicated low/no stores add new retail dimension

Published: 21 February, 2022

As the category picks up pace, Sonya Hook talks to some of the operators hoping to cash in with standalone stores.

Soapbox: Why sustainability makes perfect business sense

Published: 10 February, 2022

Mariella Menato, strategy director at drinks design specialist Denomination, talks about the rise of sustainability as a key consumer requirement, and why today, more than ever, it is vital for business success, as well as safeguarding our planet.

Sales of BWS resurgent in hospitality sector after relaxation of restrictions

Published: 04 February, 2022

The easing of Covid-19 restrictions is having a positive impact on drink sales across the on-trade, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Consumer caution hits Christmas drinks sales

Published: 20 January, 2022

On-trade drinks sales fell by a quarter in the run-up to Christmas as wary consumers avoided pubs, bars and restaurants ahead of socialising on the big day, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Indies: Fighting fit?

Published: 17 January, 2022

Adaptability has been key for indies that have sought not just to survive, but to thrive, as Angela Mount reports.

Hospitality sales rebound in late December

Published: 10 January, 2022

Consumer footfall across the UK’s hospitality sector increased between Christmas and New Year, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

No & low: The sector giving food for thought

Published: 10 January, 2022

A new world of teas, kombuchas and fermented infusions are among the healthy drinking trends helping the top bars to scale up not only their no & low offer, but their overall alcohol offer, as Jo Gilbert reports.

Online uplift to grow

Published: 23 December, 2021

Ecommerce is to remain a key driver of value growth in global alcoholic drinks markets, with wine to the fore. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Harpers

Published: 22 December, 2021

With Christmas almost upon us and 2022 chasing up behind, the Harpers team would like to wish all in the drinks trade a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Ben Knollys, MD, Hatch Mansfield

Published: 16 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Ben Knollys takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

30 Under 30: The drinks trade’s future leaders

Published: 15 December, 2021

Harpers is launching 30 Under 30, a brand new list highlighting the top young talent blazing a trail in wines and spirits. Self-nominate or nominate a colleague now to be in the running and to help us celebrate the rising stars working in our trade.