Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Fine wine reaches a record high on Liv-ex

Published: 09 December, 2020

Fine wine has remained buoyant this year, with increased reliance on technology and automated trading helping the market to reach as yet unprecedented levels.

Record breaking November for grocery market expected to lead to rosy Christmas

Published: 08 December, 2020

November was officially the largest month ever for the UK grocery market – a trend that analysts are predicting to carry on into December for a bumper shopping month.

Q&A Javier R de Galarreta, ARAEX Grands Spanish Fine Wines

Published: 01 December, 2020

Javier R de Galarreta, founder and CEO of ARAEX Grands Spanish Fine Wines, explains why Rioja remains the headline hero with the backdrop of Araex’s growing portfolio of estates straddling Spain’s premium winemaking regions

Hard seltzers put function over form

Published: 16 November, 2020

The rise of hard seltzers in the US and, increasingly, the UK, is ushering in a new age of high functioning, health-focused drinks, which is comparable to the rise of vaping in the smoking sector. Hugh Jones weighs in.

Spanish bulk wine exports collapse

Published: 07 September, 2020

Bulk wine exports from Spain plummeted during the Covid-19 crisis, according to data from the Bulk Wine Club.

Sales at Pernod Ricard slump post-Covid

Published: 02 September, 2020

Organic sales at Pernod Ricard fell 9.5% as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, the company has reported, with revenues for the year to 30 June reaching €8.5bn.

Global online buying frenzy levelling out

Published: 11 August, 2020

The extraordinary upward curve in online wine and spirit sales appears to be flattening, suggests the latest data from Wine-Searcher.

Premium spirits to defy Covid pressures

Published: 05 August, 2020

Premium-and-above spirits are forecasted to increase their global volume market share to 13% by 2024 as consumers continue to search for “authenticity and status”, according to the IWSR.

Co-op reports record growth as market share soars

Published: 27 July, 2020

The Co-Op has reported record sales over the past quarter, with the fastest share growth in the grocery retail industry for the 12 weeks to 14 June (Kantar). Sales are up 29.1%, bringing their market share to 7.4% – their highest since 2001.

BBR confirms far reaching 'review' of troubled FMV

Published: 25 June, 2020

Berry Bros. & Rudd has confirmed that it is “reviewing” its Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) wholesale arm, with staff consultation ongoing, with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis almost certainly meaning that the business will not continue in its current shape or form.

European neighbours offer UK trade signs of post-lockdown optimism

Published: 11 June, 2020

Wine consumption in some of the UK’s nearest neighbouring markets looks to be steady, with consumers maintaining overall wine consumption as lockdowns ease.

Chinese market remains bullish despite suffering Australian exports

Published: 29 May, 2020

China’s relationship with wine during coronavirus had changed for the better, according to Wine Intelligence, allaying fears that lockdown had had a negative affect on the wine category.

Marketing spend and tone of voice labelled vital in Covid era

Published: 27 May, 2020

With the pandemic putting companies and brands under the microscope, businesses are being warned to pay close attention to how they communicate with consumers – and how vigorously they defend their market share.

A Taste of New York: Indie opportunities from the Empire State

Published: 26 May, 2020

With small production and a cool climate, New York State’s leading wine producers are looking to punch above their collective weight on the world stage, with the UK singled out as the ‘shop window’ to showcase its wares.

US number one hard seltzer brand sets it sights on UK domination

Published: 15 May, 2020

White Claw, the brand which has ignited a seltzer storm in the US, is now looking to replicate its success across the pond.

Future of wine labels is in reflecting the drinker, says Cox

Published: 27 April, 2020

A shift from traditional appellation-based, heritage and winery-focused labels to those that are “more about the market” will be hastened in the wake of the pandemic if wine is to compete with rivals drinks categories.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of Chile

Published: 21 April, 2020

In the third of a series focusing on responses of the generic bodies to the current crisis, we talk to Anita Jackson, UK director, Wines of Chile

Wine and whisky investment bounce back in China

Published: 15 April, 2020

Global trader BI Fine Wine & Spirits has reported that its volume sales of high-end wine and rare whisky to Asia jumped 25% in March as Chinese buyers returned to the market.

French wines weaken on fine-wine market

Published: 01 April, 2020

France’s premier wine regions continue to weaken on the fine-wine market, according to the first-quarter 2020 trading data released this morning by Liv-ex.

Argentina report: Country on the rise

Published: 18 March, 2020

In the first of our series on Argentina, James Lawrence reports (pre-coronavirus) on how the 2016 election has helped introduce the country to a new era of wine exports and global trade.