Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Familia Torres helps fight against Covid-19

Published: 06 May, 2020

Catalonia-based winery Familia Torres has donated 30,000 protective face masks to its local community as part of its contribution to the fight against Covid-19.

Cash crisis looms as businesses call for reform to “lip service” relief packages

Published: 02 April, 2020

Companies are calling on the government to reassess its package of relief support which they say doesn't go far enough, fast enough, to help cash-strapped businesses through these turbulent times.

Chancellor matches staff wage subsidies for self-employed

Published: 26 March, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the government will cover the wages of self-employed workers up to £2,500 a month – matching what was offered to staff employees last week.

Premium drinking habits in the firing line amid economic shutdown

Published: 24 March, 2020

The ‘less but better’ mantra adopted by the trade over the past decade could be facing an existential threat, an industry expert has warned, as the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic hits the reset button on drinking habits.

Chris Losh: averting an on-trade apocalypse

Published: 17 March, 2020

This was the week that the Coronavirus got real. Ten days ago in the UK Covid-19 was largely the source of ironic fist-bumps and the odd cancelled tasting. Dying and panicking was what other people did. With a complacency that now seems barely credible, the government’s message at the end of February was, broadly, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.

PM urges public to avoid pubs, clubs and social venues

Published: 16 March, 2020

Socialising in groups and travelling for non-essential reasons is no officially a no-no the government has said as it introduces stricter measures for dealing with the spread of coronavirus (Covid–19).

Spotlight on 2020: David Gleave, Liberty Wines

Published: 16 December, 2019

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

State of emergency in Hunter Valley as Oz prepares for worst bushfire week on record

Published: 12 November, 2019

Fire chiefs, residents and wineries in New South Wales are currently preparing for a “catastrophic” fire day today as 60 fires continue to tear through the region’s residential areas and wine country.

My perfect customer: Emily Silva, The Oxford Wine Company

Published: 17 September, 2019

How would you describe your customer base?

Cockburn’s unveils image overhaul

Published: 04 September, 2019

Port royalty, the Symingtons Family Estate, has unveiled a new look for its core Cockburn’s range to coincide with the 50th anniversary of its Special Reserve label.

Sustainability: a transatlantic conversation with California Wines

Published: 13 August, 2019

Harpers and California Wine Institute hosted an insightful and far-reaching seminar at London’s Design Museum, delivering the core message that the wine world is well-placed to better engage consumers in supporting the true costs of advancing sustainability. Andrew Catchpole reports

Majestic sale confirmed

Published: 02 August, 2019

The sale of Majestic Wine to US private equity firm Fortress has been confirmed.

Friday Read: Talking hard Graft with Nik Darlington and David Knott

Published: 01 August, 2019

A similar philosophy has brought Red Squirrel and the Knotted Vine into a new chapter for both businesses. Jo Gilbert caught up with the trade’s latest power duo

People's Choice Awards recognises women-driven wines

Published: 03 May, 2019

A wine competition judged by consumers has added a new category to highlight the contributions of female winemakers.

Lizzy Rudd confirmed to stay on at helm of BBR

Published: 21 March, 2019

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has confirmed that Lizzy Rudd will maintain her role as executive chairman at the family-owned St James wine merchant.

UK and non-EU workers plugging London’s hospitality recruitment gap

Published: 06 March, 2019

Workers from the UK and outside the UK are picking up the slack from the declining number of EU nationals applying to work in hospitality jobs in the UK.

Spotlight on 2020: Doug Wregg, Les Cave de Pyrene

Published: 07 January, 2019

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Looking ahead: Miles McInnes, Jascots Wine Merchants

Published: 29 December, 2018

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.