Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Indies: Fighting back against the obstacles to trade

Published: 05 May, 2022

Jason Millar looks at how the long tail of Brexit and Covid have impacted merchants looking to buy direct.

Champagne's Supernova

Published: 17 March, 2022

While there was little to celebrate in 2020, Champagne was back with a bang last year, which seemed to take everyone – including the Champenois – by surprise.

Hospitality can help the cost of living crisis, new report finds

Published: 16 March, 2022

A report compiled by UKHospitality and CGA highlights the vulnerable state of the UK’s pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It also demonstrates how hospitality can help solve the cost of living crisis.

Hospitality sales above pre-pandemic levels, but cost of living looms large

Published: 14 March, 2022

Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups raised sales above pre-pandemic levels in February, thanks mainly to the removal of Covid-19 restrictions. Still, high inflation continues to make real-terms growth challenging.

How the rising cost of living will impact consumer attitudes to drinking

Published: 11 March, 2022

As the cost of living increases, consumers are looking to reduce spending, and recreational drinking could bear the brunt.

On-trade calls for hold on VAT rise

Published: 11 March, 2022

In April, the VAT on hospitality sector purchases will return to the pre-pandemic rate of 20%. The increase follows two years of reduced rates for the industry; in July 2020, rates were reduced to 5% before rising to 12.5% in October last year.

Government announces ‘Living with Covid plan’ but must do more to help hospitality

Published: 23 February, 2022

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his ‘Living with Covid plan’, which will see England end all of its remaining legal coronavirus rules on Thursday, including contact tracing.

Latest labour market stats underline urgent need for hospitality recruitment

Published: 16 February, 2022

Using the latest ONS labour market statistics published today, UKHospitality has produced data showing that current vacancies in hospitality are more than 100% higher than the corresponding pre-Covid period.

Restaurant January sales up on pre-Covid as restrictions ease

Published: 15 February, 2022

Rising consumer confidence about safety and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions helped Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups to a modest increase in sales in January, the Coffer CGA Business Tracker has revealed.

Leeds and Glasgow hospitality sectors resurgent despite pandemic disruption

Published: 09 February, 2022

New research from CGA Strategy has uncovered a stark division between hospitality businesses in London and regional cities across the UK, with the latter thriving in the context of a difficult trading period, while London continues to struggle.

End of Plan B restrictions brings ‘cautious optimism’ for hospitality boost

Published: 28 January, 2022

Sales of alcohol in the on-trade have continued to lag behind the levels seen in 2020, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker, yet a resurgence is forecast as Plan B restrictions come to an end this week.

Trade urged to act ahead of duty review consultation deadline

Published: 26 January, 2022

With just four days to go before the 30 January consultation deadline on the UK Government’s proposed changes to the way excise duty on alcohol is calculated, the last chance to be heard is fast closing in.

South Africa's wine industry “must adapt to survive”

Published: 21 January, 2022

Wine oversight body Vinpro has urged South Africa’s winegrowers to use the pandemic crisis as an opportunity “to revive, recover and rebuild,” adapting current business models to better cope with a rapidly changing world.

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.

Hospitality sector expands in fourth quarter, despite unprecedented challenges

Published: 20 January, 2022

Britain’s hospitality sector grew modestly in the last quarter of 2021, according to the latest CGA Market Recovery Monitor.

Rising consumer confidence suggests hospitality recovery in 2022

Published: 18 January, 2022

New research undertaken by CGA Strategy has recorded a strong desire from consumers to visit on-trade venues, indicating that the sector has successfully allayed fears concerning the Omicron variant.

Chile tasting postponed as other physical January trade events hang in the balance

Published: 05 January, 2022

Wines of Chile has postponed its 13 January showcase tasting in London, with several other organisers of tastings this month also understood to be considering whether to still go ahead.

A year in review: The 2021 challenge

Published: 20 December, 2021

James Lawrence picks out the highs and lows of another history-making year.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Ben Knollys, MD, Hatch Mansfield

Published: 16 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Ben Knollys takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Covid passport scheme rollout begins

Published: 15 December, 2021

The implementation of the government's 'Plan B' passport scheme begins today (December 15), despite a significant revolt among members of the Parliamentary Conservative Party.