Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.