Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Profile: Neville Abraham, Liberty Wines

Published: 15 March, 2022

On the eve of a reshuffle at Liberty Wines, Andrew Catchpole catches up with outgoing chair and serial restaurateur Neville Abraham for his views on the trade

The taxing debate around duty

Published: 04 March, 2022

With the wine trade potentially facing a damaging new duty regime, Andrew Catchpole convened a panel at Wine Paris to ask: “Will the proposed new excise duties in the UK make wine unaffordable?”

Beefed up buying power clinches Gérard Bertrand exclusivity at Bibendum

Published: 04 March, 2022

Bibendum Wines has won the exclusive rights to distribute the wines of Southern French pioneer Gérard Bertrand in the UK, Harpers can reveal.

Long Read: Is novel foods legislation stifling innovation in the beverage sector?

Published: 04 March, 2022

When the UK left the EU, some – including Richard Horwell, owner of specialist food and drink marketing and branding company Brand Relations – hoped novel foods regulations would be overhauled in order to facilitate drinks innovation. Sadly, he says, we are still some way behind.

Five minutes with Paul Scarratt, BlackFish Brands

Published: 01 March, 2022

The purveyor of bar-quality pouches of popular cocktails talks to Andrew Catchpole about the explosive growth in ready-to-drink.

Two Brits join MW firmament

Published: 25 February, 2022

Justin Martindale MW and Jonny Orton MW have become the latest Masters of Wine.

Headline Hero: Labels for change and Most Wanted Wines

Published: 25 February, 2022

Design linking the liquid in the bottle to a worthy cause has reached a new level, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Dedicated low/no stores add new retail dimension

Published: 21 February, 2022

As the category picks up pace, Sonya Hook talks to some of the operators hoping to cash in with standalone stores.

What the fungible?

Published: 18 February, 2022

Touted as the future of digital marketing, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) also raise huge questions around provenance, authentication and fraud, says Jo Gilbert, who takes a crypto dive.

Northern Ireland retailers welcome business rates announcement

Published: 17 February, 2022

Independent retailers in Northern Ireland have cautiously welcomed the announcement that non-domestic rates are to be frozen for the next financial year and that businesses will still receive a three-month rates holiday.

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.

Aldi launches nationwide competition for new suppliers

Published: 16 February, 2022

Aldi is continuing its commitment to British suppliers with the announcement of ‘Grow With Aldi’, a nationwide competition that will see the supermarket uncover and ultimately stock exciting new products from the UK’s best small and medium food and drink businesses – propelling them into the big time.

January online retail growth lowest ever as BWS sales fall

Published: 15 February, 2022

January saw the lowest rate of online retail growth ever at a slump of -24.4%, according to the IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index, which tracks the online sales performance for over 200 retailers. At category level, beer, wine and spirits fell even further, reaching an average of -26.6%.

UK gin exports stymied by Brexit and Covid-19

Published: 15 February, 2022

Exports of British gin have fallen for the second year running, according to the latest HMRC figures released yesterday.

Woodwinters expands Italian portfolio

Published: 15 February, 2022

Leading importer Woodwinters has become the exclusive UK distributor for Sordo wines.

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.

Nyetimber announces record year as estate leads the way for English sparkling

Published: 14 February, 2022

The UK’s leading English sparkling wine brand, Nyetimber, enjoyed a record year in 2021 in both sales and production. Following its largest ever harvest, Nyetimber’s UK sales increased by 55% on the previous year. Situated in the south of England, the 30-year-old winemakers saw sales in Europe grow by a whopping 89%.

Absolut unveils new bottle design amid brand shakeup

Published: 14 February, 2022

Vodka brand Absolut has revealed a new bottle design and remixed flavoured range in what will be the brand’s biggest shake-up since its launch in 1979.

Low and no hits new highs

Published: 14 February, 2022

As low and no becomes a year-round proposition, Jo Gilbert dives into figures shared exclusively with Harpers by major UK supplier of low and no products, Enotria & Coe.

New campaign to reinvigorate sherry's image in UK

Published: 11 February, 2022

Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.