Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

BWS online sales hold up ‘remarkably well’

Published: 14 June, 2021

Online beer, wine and spirits (BWS) sales rose 7.5% in May, bucking the downward trend recorded across the majority of FMCG categories.

WoSA unveils new digital platform

Published: 14 June, 2021

Wines of South Africa (WoSA) has launched a new digital marketplace — Wines of South Africa Gateway — pitched as a single tool for the country’s producers to interact with the trade globally.

One-month delay to restrictions lifting would cost hospitality £3bn

Published: 14 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that a one-month delay to Covid restrictions lifting would cost the hospitality sector around £3bn in sales.

On-trade groups report 26% sales dip in May

Published: 14 June, 2021

Britain’s managed bar, restaurant and pub groups recorded a 26% drop in total sales in May compared with the same month in 2019, according to the latest edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

New Zealand vintage 'exceptional' but down 19%

Published: 14 June, 2021

The quality of the 2021 vintage has been described as "exceptional" throughout New Zealand’s wine regions, although the harvest was smaller than hoped for, according to New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW).

Retail gin sales hit all time high

Published: 10 June, 2021

Sales of gin in the retail sector have continued to soar during the pandemic, up 30% over the past 12 months.

Alliance appoints two new board members

Published: 09 June, 2021

Alliance Wine has added two new members to its board of directors, effective immediately.

The pros and cons of LWF

Published: 09 June, 2021

As a first, it was hard to predict how well last month’s London Wine Fair (LWF) Digital Edition would work for both visitors and exhibitors. Lisa Riley reports.

Investment in hospitality sector slumps 14%

Published: 08 June, 2021

Business investment in the hospitality sector slumped 13.7% last year, trailing UK industry as a whole, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

Cava DO limits production for second year

Published: 07 June, 2021

The Regulatory Council of the Cava DO has approved placing temporary limits on production for the second year in a row to help rebalance the market.

Vivino names new CEO

Published: 03 June, 2021

Vivino has named Olivier Grémillon as the company’s new CEO, taking over from co-founder Heini Zachariassen.

Global alcohol consumption to return to pre-Covid levels by 2023

Published: 03 June, 2021

The global beverage alcohol market is showing positive signs of recovery and is projected to grow 2.9% in volume by the end of 2021, according IWSR research.

Recruitment and retention ‘huge’ concerns for hospitality

Published: 03 June, 2021

Fears of staff shortages after the pandemic and Brexit, plus challenges in keeping post-furlough teams productive have come out as key concerns for hospitality business leaders.

Glasgow restrictions eased as Scottish opening paused

Published: 02 June, 2021

Pubs and restaurants in Scotland are facing a transition phase as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a cautious easing of restrictions with Glasgow to move to level 2.

UKH: ‘Delay on further relaxation of restrictions will have devastating effect’

Published: 02 June, 2021

Any potential delay on further relaxation of restrictions this month would have a “devastating effect on an already-fragile hospitality sector”, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2021 to focus on ‘Bouncing Back’ with digital format

Published: 01 June, 2021

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2021 will be providing live sessions focusing on the upturn of the wine and spirits industry called Bouncing Back after the year long pandemic.

UKH urges English outlets to prepare for new business rates payments

Published: 01 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged sector businesses in England to fully prepare for new business rates payments that will kick in from 1 July, with new bills expected to land in the coming weeks.

Long Read: Hidden gems making their mark

Published: 27 May, 2021

While travel has been restricted, many wine drinkers have been on their own journey of exploration enjoying hidden gem wines – whether unusual varieties from popular wine-growing countries or regions, or familiar grapes from unfamiliar places.

Enjoying the great outdoors

Published: 26 May, 2021

With some restrictions easing but others still in place, drinks companies are capitalising on practical solutions to outdoor drinking, as Lisa Riley reports.

Job vacancies in hospitality sector rise 46%

Published: 25 May, 2021

The number of new job vacancies in the hospitality sector rose by 46% in the last two weeks, according to new analysis by audit, tax and consulting firm RSM.