Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

FDF calls on support for squeezed supply chain

Published: 17 June, 2020

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has warned that the ‘squeezed middle’ [supply chain] needs support if the hospitality restart is to succeed.

Johnson urges continued patience in relation to reduction of 2 metre rule

Published: 16 June, 2020

Taking tonights briefing, PM Boris Johnson asked the hospitlity sector to remain patient in relation to reducing the 2 metre social distancing rule as the on-trade struggles to plan ahead of the mooted reopening on 4 July.

Volume uplift in US off-trade offsets on-trade sales drop

Published: 16 June, 2020

US wine volume sales look set to be flat in 2020 with the Covid-19 led surge in off-trade sales balancing out the drop in on-trade sales, according to new Wine Intelligence research.

“Smallest vintage in living memory” delights Oz winemakers, if not accountants

Published: 16 June, 2020

Off the back of a “rollercoaster ride”, variously involving frosts, drought, heatwaves, horrendous bush fires and finally the disruption of Covid-19, Australia’s 2020 vintage is expected to produce some “sensational wines” from a very low yielding crush.

Majestic appoints performance marketing agency to drive revenue

Published: 16 June, 2020

Majestic Wine has appointed a performance marketing agency to help drive revenue across its website and network of 192 stores.

UK Hospitality urges government to confirm reopening date

Published: 16 June, 2020

UK Hospitality has urged the government to confirm a reopening date for hospitality to enable the on-trade to prepare for it properly.

Raab says ‘review’ to be completed within “coming weeks”

Published: 15 June, 2020

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said the government expects the next Covid-19 review, including if the 2 metre social distancing rule will be reduced, to be completed “within the coming weeks”.

CapeWine 2021 postponed

Published: 15 June, 2020

Wines of South Africa (WoSA) has announced that CapeWine has been moved from its planned slot in September 2021 to October 2022.

Hospitality responsible for a quarter of Britain’s GDP drop

Published: 15 June, 2020

Britain’s hospitality sector was responsible for nearly a quarter of the GDP losses felt by UK business in April, according to the latest UK Hospitality tracker.

In spitting distance of Covid-19

Published: 15 June, 2020

At the onset of the ongoing global pandemic, traditional on-trade channels saw sales fall to zero overnight. But what about the wider drinks trade and the interactions within it? Jo Gilbert asks if it's time to reassess tried – and maybe tired – formulas?

Sunak confirms “urgent comprehensive review” of 2 metre rule

Published: 15 June, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed PM Boris Johnson has ordered a “comprehensive review” on the 2 metre social distancing rule.

Heineken makes first foray into mixers with Double Dutch stake

Published: 12 June, 2020

The Heineken family has acquired a minority stake in UK premium tonic and mixer brand Double Dutch Drinks, marking its first foray into mixers.

Hallgarten launches weekly virtual tasting series

Published: 12 June, 2020

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has this week launched the first of a 12 part series of weekly virtual wine tastings.

MPs publish government recommendations to help re-start businesses

Published: 11 June, 2020

A cross-party group of MPs has delivered a number of recommendations outlining how governments across the UK can best support businesses in restarting and rebuilding after the Covid-19 crisis in a new report.

Australian wine exports to the UK drop 7%

Published: 11 June, 2020

The value of Australian wine exports to the UK declined 7% to AU$356m in the 12 months ended April 2020, according to new data released by Wine Australia.

NPD Group highlights off-premise opportunity for pubs and bars post lockdown

Published: 11 June, 2020

The NPD Group has highlighted the opportunity for bars and pubs to focus on the contribution of off-sales visits to their businesses post lockdown.

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.

Pressure mounts on PM to axe the 2 metre rule

Published: 11 June, 2020

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing increased pressure to axe the 2 metre social distancing rule to help re-open the on-trade and save jobs.

Grupo Rioja calls for more support as ‘Basque Wine’ shored up

Published: 10 June, 2020

Rioja wine producers have lashed out at the ‘insufficient measures’ adopted by the Spanish government yesterday to alleviate the impact of Covid-19 on Spain’s wine sector.