Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Naked Wines revenue soars 80%

Published: 19 November, 2020

Naked Wines has reported an 80% jump in revenue to £157.1m for the half year ending 28 September 2020, boosted by lockdowns as customers stayed home and ordered delivery.

SLTA: ‘Level 4 signals permanent closure for many’

Published: 18 November, 2020

Moving parts of west central Scotland into Level 4 “effectively signals permanent closure for many pubs and restaurants”, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has warned.

Bourgogne UK wine exports up 11.6%

Published: 18 November, 2020

Exports of Bourgogne wine to the UK rose 11.9% in volume in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year, with value up 1.3%, according to the latest Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) data.

Level 4 to be imposed in 11 Scottish council areas

Published: 17 November, 2020

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland's toughest Covid restrictions (Level 4) are to be introduced in 11 council areas, including Glasgow, this Friday.

Virtual Christmas cocktail party in aid of The Drinks Trust

Published: 17 November, 2020

Liana Cocktail Co is gearing up to host a virtual Christmas cocktail party in a bid to raise funds for The Drinks Trust.

Hakkasan launches nationwide wine delivery service

Published: 17 November, 2020

Hakkasan has launched a nationwide wine delivery service to build on the success of its Covid inspired Hakkasan at Home initiative launched in March.

On-trade group sales go into reverse following tougher restrictions

Published: 13 November, 2020

Tougher Covid restrictions have seen bar, restaurant and pub group sales go into reverse in October, according the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker report released today.

Retailers ‘cautiously optimistic’ about festive shopping season

Published: 12 November, 2020

Retailers are feeling “cautiously optimistic” about the festive shopping season, despite uncertainty around physical store openings and holiday sales patterns, according to Capgemini research released today.

UK overtakes US as biggest export market for Bordeaux dry whites

Published: 11 November, 2020

The UK has overtaken the US as the biggest export market for Bordeaux dry white wines for the first time after years of the CIVB (Bordeaux Wine Council) focusing on promoting the region’s whites to Brits.

Nicholls: 'ONS employment stats reinforce urgent need for targeted support’

Published: 10 November, 2020

UK Hospitality (UKH) has reiterated the need for additional support for the hospitality industry as ONS stats released today revealed that the UK unemployment rate has reached a four-year high.

Nearly a third of licensed premises shut prior to lockdown

Published: 10 November, 2020

Trading restrictions led to almost a third of Britain’s licensed premises shutting their doors in October ahead of England’s second lockdown on 5 November, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

BWS supermarket sales rise 15%

Published: 10 November, 2020

Supermarket sales of beer, wines and spirits (BWS) rose 15% in the four weeks to 31 October as the category remained one of the fastest growing ahead of packaged grocery (11%) but behind frozen (16%).

Relaxed takeaway regulations extended until March 2022

Published: 09 November, 2020

Relaxed regulations that allow bars, pubs and restaurants to sell takeaway food and alcohol have been extended until 2022, communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced.

OrderPay temporarily lifts fee for independent on-trade

Published: 09 November, 2020

Ordering app OrderPay has made its platform free during lockdown for any independent bars, restaurants and pubs that want to set-up a food and drink takeaway service.

Furlough extension “wasted investment” without further support

Published: 06 November, 2020

Trade bodies have welcomed the extension of the Job Retention (furlough) Scheme (JRS) but warned that this alone is not enough to keep hospitality alive.

WSET and Prowein join forces to help young wine professionals

Published: 04 November, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has joined forces with Prowein to launch an initiative to train and support ambitious young wine professionals.

UKH: ‘Decision to permit takeaway alcohol vital lifeline for businesses’

Published: 04 November, 2020

UK Hospitality (UKH) has welcomed the “pragmatic decision” to allow restaurants, bars and pubs to sell pre-ordered takeaway alcohol sales during lockdown 2.0.

Trade bodies demand six-month support package

Published: 04 November, 2020

A group of trade bodies have written to the Chancellor to call for a six-month support package to secure the future of British pubs, hospitality and its supply chain.

OIV gears up to launch digital transformation strategy

Published: 03 November, 2020

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) is gearing up to implement a digital transformation strategy spurred on by the pandemic having highlighted ecommerce as “an extraordinary determinative to more traditional distribution channels”.