Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Solid first week for on-trade groups

Published: 27 April, 2021

Pubs, bars and restaurant groups have made a robust start to post-lockdown trading in England, the latest figures from the Coffer CGA Business Tracker has shown.

Key agents back LWF Welcome Back Wednesday

Published: 15 April, 2021

Several leading UK based companies, all with an on-trade focus, have signed up to exhibit at the London Wine Fair’s (LWF) inaugural Welcome Back Wednesday, in addition to the May event, showing portfolios specifically for this sector.

Near 60% like-for-like sales rise on first day of hospitality trading

Published: 15 April, 2021

Pubs, bars and restaurants that were able to trade on 12 April saw like-for-like sales rise nearly 58.6% on the same day in 2019, according to new CGA data.

Latimer appoints ex-somm Caroline Brangé to head up sales

Published: 14 April, 2021

Latimer Vintners has appointed ex-sommelier Caroline Brangé to head up its on and off-trade sales, working closely with London’s hospitality establishments as they prepare to re-open their doors.

Tech & innovation: Seismic shifts

Published: 14 April, 2021

We’re on the cusp of a new and advanced tech-fuelled era for hospitality as the on-trade begins to reopen, says Jo Gilbert.

SLTA: ‘Opening on 26 April unviable for most’

Published: 14 April, 2021

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA has reiterated its disappointment that Scotland’s bars, restaurants and cafés will still not be able to serve alcohol indoors until the licensed hospitality industry begins to reopens more freely next month.

Berkmann unveils latest hospitality support initiative

Published: 13 April, 2021

Berkmann Wine Cellars has launched a new initiative to help on-trade venues across the country reopen.

Reopening guide issued to help businesses push back on incorrect enforcement

Published: 12 April, 2021

Hospitality trade bodies have published a one-page guide stating the key rules operators must follow to reopen safely and in accordance with government guidelines.

CGA: ‘Venues must walk fine line between safety and experience’

Published: 12 April, 2021

Most consumers will remain sharply focused on safety despite a growing boldness about going out as lockdown restrictions ease, according to CGA’s latest Consumer Countdown to Reopening research.

Open for business

Published: 08 April, 2021

As the on-trade reopens there will still be many challenges to meet, but there is optimism down the road. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Consumers keen to spend despite financial worries

Published: 08 April, 2021

Consumers are set to prioritise eating and drinking out in their spending after lockdown, but remain cautious about longer term financial impacts of the pandemic, according to CGA’s latest Consumer Countdown to Reopening research.

Jascots to step up presence outside London

Published: 06 April, 2021

Jascots Wine has, together with its new owners Freixenet Copestick, revealed plans to expands its footprint outside its London heartland.

Scottish drinks industry calls for balanced approach to alcohol policy

Published: 29 March, 2021

The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), an alliance of Scotland’s distillers, brewers, hospitality and retail businesses, has called for Scottish Parliamentary candidates to commit to a balanced approach to alcohol policy.

CGA: ‘Significant number of sites with outdoor space unlikely to trade’

Published: 29 March, 2021

Two out of five licensed premises have outdoor trading space – around 41,000 outlets – enabling them to trade outside from 12 April, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

Hallgarten evolves online ordering with new app

Published: 25 March, 2021

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has evolved its online ordering with the launch of a new customer ordering app.

UKH: ‘Vaccine passport scheme would create confusion and inequality’

Published: 25 March, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned against the use of a vaccine passport scheme as a condition of removing restrictions for on-trade visits, branding it “unworkable”.

Jobseekers pin hopes on hospitality

Published: 24 March, 2021

Jobseekers are pinning their hopes on a resurgent hospitality sector, with bar jobs and waitressing among the fastest-growing searches, according to new research by major job site Indeed.

Local authorities urged to support ‘forgotten businesses’

Published: 23 March, 2021

New guidance on the Additional Restrictions Grant has been announced by the government as the UK gears up to exit lockdown.

Seismic shifts in technology use when on-trade reopens

Published: 17 March, 2021

The hospitality sector can expect more seismic shifts in the use of technology when it reopens, according to the latest Go Technology report from CGA and Zonal.

Q&A: Charlie Gilkes, Inception Group

Published: 17 March, 2021

Charlie Gilkes is founder and director of Inception Group, the experiential hospitality group behind My Foggs, Barts, Cahoots, Bunga Bunga & Maggie’s. Hugh Jones speaks to Gilkes about recovery, Covid enforced innovation, and the importance of customer experience as the trade re-opens.