Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Majestic sale confirmed

Published: 02 August, 2019

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

The week that was

Published: 10 May, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinion and features.

Online BWS sales grow ahead of market

Published: 24 April, 2019

The beer, wine and spirits (BWS) category recorded 9.6% growth in online sales last month compared to March 2018.

Shift from shop to showroom is vital for the future of retail, says Majestic CEO

Published: 27 March, 2019

The chief executive of the newly rebranded Naked Wines has defended the decision to trim down its 200-store estate while shifting investment focus to the online side of the business.

BWS enjoys strong festive build up as general grocery sales slump

Published: 08 January, 2019

Shoppers visited supermarkets more often in the run up to Christmas, but sales slumped to half the level of growth returned last year, according to Nielsen.

Q&A: Robert Cooke, beers, wines & spirits director, Tesco

Published: 15 November, 2018

Buoyed by October’s encouraging interim results, Tesco is heading into the festive season with a hand in the on-trade for the first time, thanks to its merger with cash-and-carry group Booker. Jo Gilbert speaks to BWS director Robert Cooke about what the deal means for alcoholic drinks sales at the UK’s biggest grocer

Waitrose introduces 100 new lines to bolster premium position

Published: 12 October, 2018

“Functional booze is not our game. We need to tell a story,” says Pierpaolo Petrassi, head of buying, beers, wines and spirits at Waitrose.

Royal Wedding and hot weather boost online BWS sales

Published: 03 August, 2018

Online sales of beer, wines and spirits were up 27.3% YoY in March 2018, new data has revealed.

Molson Coors chases the buzz with joint marijuana venture

Published: 02 August, 2018

Molson Coors is the latest mega-brewer to announce plans to make hybrid beverages with one of Canada’s leading cannabis producers, further signalling the march of smoke products into the alcoholic sector.

Schaafsma says major Oz distribution deal makes Broadland "relevant" for the future

Published: 11 December, 2017

Broadland Wineries is aiming to become a one-stop shop for antipodean wines thanks to a new major distribution deal which will see them partner with Australia’s biggest bulk wine supplier.