Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tech: New age-old problem

Published: 25 September, 2024

Jo Gilbert looks at how the biggest alcohol brands and social media platforms are banding together to tackle the rapidly developing world of online age-assurance systems.

Employers ‘forced to rethink’ role of alcohol in the workplace

Published: 14 August, 2024

The workplace is more age diverse than ever before, with four generations now working cheek by jowl worldwide. However, post-pandemic socialising now looks very different, and business leaders are being warned to make sure they have workplace alcohol policies in place in order to cater to the needs and preferences of a multigenerational workforce.

Diageo shares hit four-year low

Published: 31 July, 2024

Diageo has cautioned that financial challenges may extend into next year after the company fell short of its full-year profit expectations, leading to a more than 9% drop in shares to a four-year low.

UK spirits decline, premium segments resilient

Published: 23 July, 2024

James Lawrence looks at the trends shaping and driving premium sales

Diageo’s Katherine Smart becomes first female master brewer

Published: 15 July, 2024

Diageo’s global technical director Katherine Smart has been elected as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers for 2024 to 2025, becoming the first female master in 461 years.

Deputy mayor for business pledges support for hospitality at inaugural LCW event

Published: 09 July, 2024

The deputy mayor of London for business was one of a number of senior officials to descend on Diageo’s global HQ yesterday (8 July), where the organisers of London Cocktail Week convened a daylong collaborative event aimed at hearing from the city’s hospitality sector.

Demographic shifts propel stout resurgence

Published: 22 April, 2024

In a dynamic market landscape marked by shifting consumer preferences, the stout category is experiencing a notable resurgence, driven by changing demographics. Guinness is chief among the brands leading this charge, as highlighted in Diageo’s recent six-month performance update ending December 2023.

Diageo-owned Port Ellen reopens after 40 years

Published: 20 March, 2024

In a landmark moment for Scotch whisky, Port Ellen Distillery, on the island of Islay, reopened today after a 40-year hiatus.

Henry Jeffreys: Whisky goes global

Published: 24 November, 2023

Henry Jeffreys looks beyond Scotch and more latterly Japan, to those countries which have emerged as serious, sellable propositions for the trade.

Diageo profit warning knocks European drinks markets

Published: 13 November, 2023

Diageo has issued an unexpected trading statement to warn that this year’s revenue and profit will be significantly lower than the group previously expected – a blow which has had a serious knock-on effect for the European drinks sector.

Diageo launches special releases 2023 collection

Published: 18 September, 2023

Diageo, a global leader in premium drinks, has today unveiled its Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky collection

Diageo CEO Sir Ivan Menezes passes away

Published: 07 June, 2023

Spirits giant Diageo has announced the sad death of its CEO Sir Ivan Menezes following a brief illness.

Henry Jeffreys: Seeking out gin’s disruptors

Published: 21 April, 2023

Looking beyond London Dry, Henry Jeffreys tracks down the British gin brands on the hunt for growth with new points of difference.

Diageo announces 18% sales growth in 2023 interim results

Published: 26 January, 2023

The British multinational alcoholic beverage company, Diageo, has reported net sales of £9.4 billion in the half-year ending 31 December 2022, an increase of 18.4% on the same period in 2021.

Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes awarded knighthood for ‘services to business and equality’

Published: 03 January, 2023

Ivan Menezes, Diageo's Indian-born CEO, has received a knighthood in King Charles' first New Year’s Honours list.

Government extends alcohol duty-freeze for six months

Published: 20 December, 2022

The freeze on UK alcohol duty rates has been extended six months to 1 August 2023, the government announced yesterday (19 December 2022).

Diageo and Encirc partner in net zero glass project

Published: 13 December, 2022

Diageo and the glass manufacturer Encirc have announced a partnership to create the world’s first net zero glass bottles at scale by 2030.

Diageo partners with Springboard and Prince’s Trust to tackle staffing crisis

Published: 01 November, 2022

Diageo, maker of Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, has announced a new three-year partnership with Springboard and The Prince’s Trust to help tackle the staffing crisis in the hospitality industry.

Vodka's wild ride

Published: 29 June, 2022

The corporate world is very fond of quoting an old adage: “Commerce hates noise.” Yet vodka brands cannot hide from the upheaval caused by Ukraine, rising inflation and post-pandemic behavioural shifts. With the political, economic, and social environment in a state of realignment, spirit brands have been presented with a unique set of opportunities, and threats, in 2022.