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The B2C shift: Driving it home

Published:  24 April, 2020

The coronavirus (Covid-19) has opened up a new world of B2C engagement for businesses offering a lifeline to consumers stuck inside their homes, as Jo Gilbert reports. 

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Scottish distillers pledge 13.5 million litres of ethanol for hand sanitiser

Published:  23 April, 2020

Distillers across Scotland have currently pledged over 13.5 million litres of ethanol to support the production of more than 54 million bottles of hand sanitiser. 

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Ecommerce sales surge but fail to make up for on-trade losses

Published:  22 April, 2020

Ecommerce sales of beer, wine and spirits (BWS) in the UK surged 50% (volume) in the first week of lockdown compared to the same period last year, while sales through the off-trade were up 20%, according to new IWSR snapshot research. 

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Freixenet unveils Italian still wine collection

Published:  05 April, 2020

Freixenet Copestick has launched its first range of still Italian wine in the UK to build on the success of the company’s Prosecco and sparkling Italian rosé.

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Independents: Open to trade

Published:  03 April, 2020

With merchants fast adapting to survive, Andrew Catchpole surveyed the indie scene to discover how companies are adapting.

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Guy Woodward: Back in the drinks world

Published:  02 April, 2020

With perfect timing, I start a new job this week. Yep – all the boxes are ticked: world in lockdown, nose-diving economy, stalled investments, uncertain future.

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Polarisation in the drinks market

Published:  02 April, 2020

A new report revealed both mainstream and super-premium categories were growing pre-pandemic, while highlighting the opportunities for retailers. Lisa Riley looks at some of the trends that may re-emerge down the line. 

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Stockpiling and on-trade closure send off-trade BWS sales through the roof

Published:  31 March, 2020

Off-trade sales of beer, wine and spirits (BWS) surged 67% in the week to 21 March - the week the government announced the closure of the on-trade. 

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WSTA launches weekly coronavirus webinar

Published:  25 March, 2020

The WSTA has announced it is launching a weekly webinar series on coronavirus (Covid-19) and the impact on the world of wines and spirits. 

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Bacardi launches $3m on-trade support initiative

Published:  24 March, 2020

Bacardi has pledged $3m to support bars and restaurants around the world debilitated by the coronavirus  shutdown.   

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Drinks companies join forces to plea for duty suspension

Published:  23 March, 2020

An initial 32 drinks companies (all WSTA members) have joined forces to plea for a cash lifeline, calling collectively on the Chancellor to suspend duty.     

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Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

Published:  18 March, 2020

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.

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New date for Think Spirits

Published:  18 March, 2020

The launch of Harpers’ bigger and better spirits event, which is expanding in order to reflect a raft of dynamic and fast-moving drinks categories in the UK, is to take place later in the year.

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How do you give the drinks of yesteryear a modern twist?

Published:  13 March, 2020

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, on why legacy brands are enjoying a new lease of life.  

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Pernod Ricard invests in Italy’s Italicus

Published:  12 March, 2020

Pernod Ricard has expanded its ‘super’ premium spirits portfolio with an undisclosed investment in bergamot-infused Italian aperitivo Italicus.

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Floods and coronavirus take their toll on on-trade

Published:  12 March, 2020

Trading in Britain's pub, restaurant and bar sector fell 3.3% in February as the developing coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis and the severe floods took their toll on eating and drinking out.

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Budget: Chancellor announces freeze on all alcohol duty

Published:  11 March, 2020

Duty on wines, spirits and beers is to be frozen, new Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in today’s budget, allaying trade fears of another rise in line with inflation.

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Wine Drinkers UK urges Chancellor not to discriminate against working class and women

Published:  02 March, 2020

Wine Drinkers UK has called on the new Chancellor not to discriminate against the working class and women ahead of the next Budget on 11 March.

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New UK commercial director for William Grant

Published:  25 February, 2020

Leading UK spirits producer William Grant & Sons has made Joanna Austin its commercial director for the UK and Ireland.

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WSTA calls on Chancellor to support wine and spirit SMEs

Published:  18 February, 2020

Several UK wine and spirit SMEs have united to urge the new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP, to cut wine and spirit duty by 2% to help boost British business.

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