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Analysis: Suppliers today must be excellent service providers

Published:  25 January, 2016

Consolidation within the industry is happening across many channels and for suppliers to both the on- and off-trade, competing on supplying quality wines at competitive prices is no longer enough.

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Q&A: Footballer Hidetoshi Nakata talks sake

Published:  21 January, 2016

Anna Greenhous, talks to one of the greatest Japanese footballers of all time, Hidetoshi Nakata, about retiring and becoming an international sake ambassador.

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Insights: New Zealand wine styles and varieties diversify

Published:  21 January, 2016

New Zealand Winegrowers hosted the 35th annual trade tasting in London this week and the over 500 wines that were being poured demonstrated how New Zealand wine producers are looking to diversify the styles and varietals that are being exported. While this may be challenge to get consumers to understand some of the newer style Sauvignon Blancs being produced or take some convincing to get people to try a New Zealand red wine, it is an evolution that is exciting and needed for the wine regions within the country.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Is it time for the wine trade to face up to the health risks of drinking?

Published:  19 January, 2016

Jerry Lockspeiser weighs in on the new Chief Medical Officer guidelines of alcohol consumption and argues as a trade we have an 'obligation to pay attention'. Are we skeptical because we simply don't want to believe the argument is valid?

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Analysis: Non-alcoholic drinks an upsell opportunity for the on-trade

Published:  15 January, 2016

With an increasing number of consumers cutting down on their drinking but not their socialising, Jo Bruce looks at the rise in demand in the on-trade for more exciting non-alcoholic drinks

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Insights: Ayo Akintola's keys for success on social media following #WhatTheFox campaign

Published:  14 January, 2016

Ayo Akintola, the managing director of Oddbins, shared some of his recent learnings following the successful social media campaign the quirky retailer launched over the Christmas trading period. 

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Insights: New Zealand wine no longer just about Sauvignon Blanc

Published:  14 January, 2016

With sales of Sauvignon Blanc dominating the New Zealand category, retailers are encouraging consumers to look at the country's wine offer with a fresh set of eyes.

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Insights: Is it the end of the traditional wine shops?

Published:  13 January, 2016

As the competition hots up in independent retail with the introduction of more and more hybrid venues, could this spell the end for the traditional wine shop? Nigel Huddleston investigates 

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Interview: Mike James is Aldi's ace in the pack

Published:  13 January, 2016

Mike James, wine buying director at Aldi UK, is driving a category which is driving a discounter at the forefront of the industry. Erin Smith reports on the changing face of its wine range 

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Insights: Aldi UK launching online wine offer

Published:  13 January, 2016

After a sneak preview of some of the wines in Aldi UK's forthcoming online range, Angela Mount tells all and looks at the discounter's web strategy 

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Insights: Retailers look back on the Christmas trading period

Published:  12 January, 2016

On the back of the Christmas and new year trading period, Harpers asks suppliers and merchants how Christmas was for them and what they expect looking ahead.

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Drinks businesses flex their sharp social media skills

Published:  11 January, 2016

Social media has become a crucial tool in any brand manager's box of tricks and it will become increasingly important in 2016. Erin Smith reports 

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Q&A: Paul Schaafsma, chief executive, Accolade Wines

Published:  11 January, 2016

The recently appointed head of Accolade Wines talks about life in the top job, Chilean wine brand Anakena launching in the UK and how he plans to make Accolade a global one-stop shop for New World wines

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Christopher Cooper: Bartenders versus sommeliers - who brings the 'cool' to the drinks industry?

Published:  08 January, 2016

Perception is everything in the battle of the elite drinks purveyors, so it's about time we factored "cool" into wine's appeal, says Christopher Cooper

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Analysis: Trade optimism lifts following festive trading

Published:  08 January, 2016

Consumer confidence is generally on the up and early indications suggest that Christmas delivered a welcome boost to the trade.

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Analysis: How Australian wine is changing consumer perceptions

Published:  08 January, 2016

It's high time consumers stop pigeonholing Australia and recognise its rich and diverse winegrowing regions, says Anne Krebiehl MW

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The Smith Report: The Brexit effect

Published:  08 January, 2016

With the revelation that the historic referendum could take place this year, should the wine trade be worried? Erin Smith investigates

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Guy Woodward: The many reasons to be thankful for our wine press

Published:  08 January, 2016

When my name first started appearing at the top of this page each month, I promised myself there was one topic that I would strenuously avoid. Eighteen months in, I'm about to break that promise... 

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Analysis: A critical part of Aldi's startegy for success - supplier relationships

Published:  05 January, 2016

Ahead of this month's profile piece in an exclusive interview with Harpers, Mike James, wine buying director of Aldi UK, talks with Angela Mount about his buying strategy and what he looks for in potential partners that has helped him succeed.

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ALERT: Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme in Force from 1 January 2016

Published:  24 December, 2015

From the 1 January 2016 HMRC will introduce the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) to tackle alcohol fraud. Cindy Dorrington of Bivonas Law asseses the implication for the trade. 

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