Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Government releases details of temporary alcohol off-sales extension

Published: 22 July, 2020

The government has released details of its temporary alcohol off-sales permissions.

South African government retracts tweet over alcohol ban

Published: 22 July, 2020

The South African government has attempted to clarify confusion over a tweet from its official Twitter account that said the ban on the sale of alcohol would remain in place throughout the lockdown period.

William Grant & Sons’ Standfast charity auction goes live

Published: 21 July, 2020

William Grant & Sons’ Standfast charity auction in support of The Drinks Trust and The Ben Scotland has gone live.

SWA calls on whisky fans to urge government to ‘call time on tariffs’

Published: 20 July, 2020

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has launched a campaign urging whisky lovers to write to their MPs underlining the damage that US tariffs are causing to the Scotch whisky industry and asking them to “urge the government to call time on tariffs”.

Emphasis on reservations fuels wave of ‘no shows’

Published: 20 July, 2020

The Covid-led fresh emphasis on reservations is hitting the beleaguered on-trade with a wave a ‘no shows’ recorded since the reopening of the industry.

Armit becomes first merchant to support The Court of Master Sommeliers

Published: 20 July, 2020

Armit Wines has been named as the first wine merchant to support The Court of Master Sommeliers.

On-trade reports 40% drop in weekly sales

Published: 17 July, 2020

Sales across on-trade sites open in England in the first week after lockdown was lifted were down 39.8% compared to the same week last year, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data released today.

Woes mount as SA wine industry reacts to second drinking ban

Published: 14 July, 2020

South Africa’s already hard-pressed wine industry has greeted the renewed ban on alcohol sales with dismay, with Vinpro describing the government-imposed clamp down as a “devastating blow”.

Soft drinks come of age

Published: 14 July, 2020

As the Coronavirus crisis fuels interest in health and wellness, Lucy Britner examines the future of functional drinks in a post-pandemic world

Hospitality Action launches fundraising campaign

Published: 13 July, 2020

Hospitality Action (HA) has launched an innovative fundraising campaign in support of the beleaguered industry.

Further blow to SA as another ban on alcohol is introduced

Published: 13 July, 2020

South Africa has banned alcohol sales again as part of a set of new restrictions to combat Covid-19.

Economics of on-trade supply have “hit a brick wall”

Published: 10 July, 2020

The Covid-19 crisis has stripped bare the precarious economic situation of the on-trade and its supply-side, with a correction in the market necessary to improve profitability.

Price cuts deliver unexpected bounce for Bordeaux 2019

Published: 09 July, 2020

A fast, four-week campaign with average price cuts of 21% confounded many expectations by delivering a successful En Primeur 2019 release.

Hospitality reopening weekend spend down 45% on previous year

Published: 08 July, 2020

Despite a big bounce in transactions as many pubs, bars and restaurants reopened their doors on the weekend, overall spend was down across the hospitality, leisure and entertainment sector by 45% compared with the same weekend in 2019.

Covid-19 estimated to cost food and drink SMEs £21k each

Published: 07 July, 2020

New research has estimated that small hospitality businesses operating in food and drink will on average lose £21,586 in lost work, earnings and loan repayments as a result of Covid-19.

Harpers webinars to assess Harnessing Change and future NPD

Published: 07 July, 2020

Two webinars, ‘Harnessing the Crisis for Change’ and ‘NPD: Innovation in the time of Covid-19’, are being hosted by Harpers over the next few days, delivering insights into how the pandemic will play out as a catalyst for evolution within the trade.

Welsh Drinks Cluster launches Welsh Wine Week

Published: 07 July, 2020

Welsh Drinks Cluster has launched Welsh Wine Week to encourage sales over the summer.

Jerry Lockspieser: looking in the rear view mirror at 30 years in wine (part 2)

Published: 03 July, 2020

In my last post I reflected on the big societal trends that created the context I worked in as a wine entrepreneur over the last 30 years. I continue here with the big trends within the world of wine itself.

On-trade ‘test and trace’ guidance published

Published: 03 July, 2020

As pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés re-boot from 4 July, the new NHS Test and Trace guidance will mean that venues should maintain records of staff, customers and visitors, and share these with the health service if requested.

Off-Piste Wines: Rewriting the rules

Published: 01 July, 2020

Covid-19 came at a tricky time for Off-Piste Wines, which was forging ahead with plans to put an £8m investment to good use this summer. Jo Gilbert caught up with MD Andy Talbot to find out what Plan B looks like for this forward-thinking business.