Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spirits can become far bigger part of on-trade sales mix, says CGA

Published: 24 November, 2014

Bars and pubs can do more to boost spirits sales, says CGA Strategy, with restaurants proving particularly fertile ground.

P Diddy looks to grow wine and spirits business

Published: 21 November, 2014

Famed rapper and businessman Sean 'Diddy' Combs has recently grown his partnership with Diageo to include De León tequila as well as Ciroc vodka, and has plans to further boost the portfolio.

Glenfiddich launches online Gallery giving whisky connoisseurs access to rare malts

Published: 21 November, 2014

Glenfiddich has launched a new online service which gives whisky fans and collectors access to rare and unreleased single malts from its collection.

Frustrated restaurateurs create homemade vermouth for own Ethicurean site and independents

Published: 21 November, 2014

Frustrated that they could not find a vermouth good enough to serve in their Bristol restaurant, the team behind the Ethicurean restaurant in Wrington, Bristol, decided to go and make their own.

Dia Simms, the woman behind P Diddy's drinks ventures, on why their spirits mean business

Published: 21 November, 2014

Starting off as Sean 'Diddy' Combs personal chief of staff, Dia Simms is now the executive vice president of Ciroc Vodka & Innovations, at the newly-formed Combs Wine & Spirits.Gemma McKenna catches up with Simms and finds out what the pair have planned for the expansion of the drinks empire.

Glenmorangie launches Dornoch in to World Duty Free

Published: 19 November, 2014

Glenmorangie Dornoch is being launched in to the travel retail sector from November 26 in an exclusive deal with the World Duty Free Group before being released across the duty free sector.

Tesco bolsters wine team as it looks to improve quality and customer focus

Published: 12 November, 2014

Tesco has boosted its wine team with the addition of an assistant buyer and quality manager.

Conviviality Retail to expand into Scotland

Published: 12 November, 2014

Conviviality Retail, owner of the Bargain Booze and Wine Rack brands, has revealed plans to expand into Scotland with its half-yearly trading update broadly in line with last year.

Amathus opens fourth London store in Shoreditch

Published: 11 November, 2014

Drinks distributor and retailer Amathus is opening a fourth London store, this time in Shoreditch, after buying the City Beverage Company business.

Christmas Report: time for big hitting whisky brands to shine

Published: 10 November, 2014

The whisky companies have been unveiling their big-hitting Christmas whiskies at a flurry of consumer shows in recent weeks, writes Dominic Roskrow, and it's clear that they're keen to cash in on the sector's current popularity by extending its appeal to new drinkers and attempting to be all things to all people.

Christmas Report: how rum is spicing things up

Published: 10 November, 2014

Like the other spirit categories, the growth in rum is mainly driven by the premium sector. Spiced rum that is the latest big thing, with sales growing by more than 21% year on year, making it worth an annual £80m. It appears to be particularly popular in Scotland, where it accounts for over 21% of value sales, and at the younger end of the market, while well-aged rums are finding favour with a more discerning, 30-plus audience. Helen Arnold reports.

Christmas Report: how vodka can drive festive profits

Published: 10 November, 2014

Vodka commands the lion's share of the spirits sector, with over 30% of total sales; not only is it the most widely drunk spirit in the UK, but it is outstripping the overall spirits sector, with annual growth of 4.4%. Helen Arnold reports.

Christmas Report: why wine has reasons to be merry

Published: 10 November, 2014

It's that time again. With more than a third of wine sales coming through in the 12 weeks of Christmas, the trade is nervously checking the weather forecast and gauging the mood among consumers as shoppers prepare to fill their stockings, writes Gemma McKenna.

Christmas Report: why premium spirits are key for festive sales

Published: 07 November, 2014

Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:

Quintessential hires former Edrington exec William Ovens

Published: 04 November, 2014

Quintessential Brands Company, which distributes Blooms and Greenall's gins, has appointed William Ovens, former Edrington executive to the role of international commercial director.

Diageo agrees to sell Bushmills whiskey as part of Tequila Don Julio deal

Published: 03 November, 2014

Diageo has agreed a deal with Jose Cuervo that would see it acquire Tequila Don Julio in exchange for its Bushmills Irish whiskey.

Virgin Wines wants to be Interflora of wine gifting

Published: 03 November, 2014

Online wine retailer Virgin Wines is looking to "own" the wine gifts market with its new gifting service which includes options from £20 to £150.

Aperol celebrates success as sales rocket 800% at Waitrose

Published: 31 October, 2014

Italian aperitif brand Aperol is gaining a strong foothold in the UK market, as sales of the drink shot up 800% at Waitrose in the last year.

Public health experts call for calorie labelling for beers, wines and spirits

Published: 31 October, 2014

The drinks industry faces renewed calls for calorie labelling on drinks, following research which shows strong public backing for the measure and a lack of consumer awareness on how calorific drinks can be.

Trade reacts to the Bibendum PLB merger

Published: 30 October, 2014

Rival suppliers and potential customers of the new Bibendum PLB group have been unsurprised by the news of the merger, given tough market conditions, with most saying further consolidation in the supply chain is on the cards.