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Christmas 2021: boom or bust?

Published:  24 January, 2022

James Lawrence finds the festive season was a mixed bag, with reduced sales in many areas but some sectors exceeding expectations.

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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.

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Cold Christmas in the on-trade

Published:  18 January, 2022

Already battered on-trade businesses suffered further in what should have been their busiest time of year. Clinton Cawood reports.

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Alliance targets on-trade expansion with new appointments

Published:  12 January, 2022

Alliance Wine has recruited two new personnel into its on-trade division, with a renewed focus on growing the distributor’s customer base in the hospitality sector.

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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.

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Consumer interest in no and low products surging

Published:  05 January, 2022

One in three UK drinkers now regularly choose low or no alcohol brands, according to a new survey commissioned by the Portman Group.

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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.

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Hospitality underwhelmed by Chancellor's £1bn rescue package

Published:  22 December, 2021

Businesses are split in their response to the Treasury's £1 billion support package, with enthusiasm from some quarters, while others have claimed that the amount “borders on insulting”.

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Yuletide cheer

Published:  22 December, 2021

With supply and delivery issues forcing indies to be nimble and imaginative for the Christmas rush, Andrew Catchpole asked a trio of merchants how they prepared for the festive sales spike in such an unpredictable year.

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Freixenet delivers record Cava sales

Published:  21 December, 2021

Spanish giant Freixenet has posted record Cava sales in 2021, retailing more than 100 million bottles worldwide for the first time ever in the firm's 150-year history.

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Cava’s 2021 exports surge towards pre-pandemic levels

Published:  17 December, 2021

Global shipments of Spain's signature sparkling wine grew by 16.45% in the first nine months of the year, according to the Cava Consejo Regulador.

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London's Connaught triumphs as 'World’s Best Bar'

Published:  08 December, 2021

The Connaught Bar in Mayfair has for the second year running being awarded the title of World's Best Bar, in a ceremony which took place yesterday (7 December).

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Diageo urges drinkers to ‘Know When to Stop’ at Christmas

Published:  19 November, 2021

Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker maker Diageo has launched a new global responsible drinking campaign aimed at urging people to know when to say enough’s enough this Christmas.

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Majestic reveals the trends to watch this Christmas

Published:  12 November, 2021

Sparkling wine and Champagne, Beaujolais, Rosé, bag-in-box and wines from South Africa are tipped to be some of the top sellers this Christmas, Majestic Wines has predicted.

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Demand for NZ wine continues to grow as supply is squeezed

Published:  10 November, 2021

International demand for New Zealand wine continues to grow as export value reached $599M in the first quarter of the new export year, up 9% on the previous year.

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Viña Concha y Toro sees profit increase despite global logistics crisis

Published:  08 November, 2021

Chilean producer Viña Concha y Toro's profits increased by 15% in the third quarter boosted by a better product mix, increases in its domestic market and real estate income which partially offset the global logistics crisis that affected shipments.

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Winner unveiled for AYALA SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year award.

Published:  04 November, 2021

Sally Abé has been selected as the winner of this year’s AYALA SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year award.

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Jascots' 'Electric Vin' makes in-roads to sustainability

Published:  03 November, 2021

Jascots Wine Merchants has unveiled the first electric van in its fleet – the first step in what the company has revealed to be a plan to eventually convert all its London-based vehicles to electric.

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Business rates for hospitality cut by 50% for one year

Published:  27 October, 2021

Today’s Budget announcement included a year-long cut to business rates for the leisure and retail industry, meaning pubs, restaurants and bars will pay 50% less for 12 months.

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Christmas 2021: An optimistic appraisal

Published:  27 October, 2021

The British tabloids have spoken: Christmas 2021 is unlikely to yield much festive cheer. Unfortunately, this isn’t simply press hyperbole – the UK’s food industry is under enormous pressure, while retail supply chains continue to be stymied by a lack of HGV drivers.

Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a set of data in September which confirmed that the on-trade staffing crisis has not abated. “Sourcing staff has been one of our biggest challenges since we reopened,” says Avinash Shashidhara, head chef at Pali Hill restaurant in London.

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