CyT thrives in Q3 despite pandemic

Net profits at Chilean wine giant Viña Concha y Toro have risen 54% in the third quarter, the company has announced, with EBITDA growing 53%.

UK retail lifts moribund global sales at Pernod Ricard

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard has seen its sales drop 6% in the first quarter of the financial year, though UK retail sales remain dynamic.

Long Read: Does sustainability sell? The new factors driving purchaser decision-making

Drawing on data from a recent survey of over 500 wine and spirits drinkers, Callum Saunders, head of planning at brand activation marketing agency Zeal Creative, shows how that focus on sustainability is increasing, not decreasing, as a result of the pressures of Covid.

The Long Read: How the impulse channel is altering the retail map

Angela Mount reports on the dramatic growth of wine and alcohol sales in both the impulse and Cash & Carry channels.

Investing for Future: Short-term cost-cutting could have long-term impact

A unique set of circumstances created by the coronavirus epidemic has made investment more vital than ever for business, as consumers become ‘hyper aware’ of the activity of brands in times of crisis.

Aviation Gin takes off with Diageo in $610m deal

Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin brand has landed a mega-deal with drinks giant Diageo, which has been acquired via parent company Davos Brands.

Shakedown looms for English and Welsh spirits

A restructure could be on the cards for the English and Welsh spirits sector, as pressure from an impending recession begins to squeeze brands at either end of the price spectrum. Jo Gilbert reports

Major brands “reallocating” funds away from on-trade into e-commerce and DTC

The Covid-19 pandemic is facilitating a long-term shift among many of the world’s leading drinks brands’ strategies, it has been suggested, as owners begin to adopt a more “nuanced” approach to channel distribution.

Friday Read: What’s going to drive us to drink after the pandemic?

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, looks at the impact that the lockdown will have on our future drinks choices

Two out of the UK’s top five alcohol brands are wine

Wine has taken two of the top spots as the most purchased alcohol brands in the UK off-trade, with Hardys and McGuigan in second and fourth place respectively.

Five key ways to adjust wine marketing during and after Covid-19

In its latest series of market insights, Wine Intelligence has highlighted five focus areas for wine marketeers to consider as companies battle through the extreme challenges thrown up by the Covid-19 pandemic and the developing recession.

Distell reverses course on premium division

South African drinks giant Distell has shuttered its premium wine division Libertas Vineyards and Estates after little more than a year.

Profile: Lift off for Buckingham Schenk

With help from the Schenk Group mothership, Buckingham Schenk is evolving from a predominantly retail-led own-label proposition to becoming a multichannel player with a stall of agency and exclusive brands. Last month, Jo Gilbert spoke to MD Craig Durham about the company's latest reinvention 

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo continue dominance of global power list

Australia and Chile have once again topped Wine Intelligence’s list of the world’s power brands, with Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo holding onto their spots in first and second place for the third year in a row.

Rum sales leap 7% in the on-trade

Sales of rum in the UK on-trade rose 7% year-on-year in 2019, according to the latest data from food-and-drink research analysts CGA.

Quintessential adds two to senior team

International spirits producer Quintessential Brands has strengthened its management team with two senior hires.

Villa Maria hires Matt Deller

Leading Kiwi wine producer Villa Maria has picked Matt Deller MW as its new chief global sales and marketing officer.

Former Blue Peter presenter jumps ship to head up Mangrove marketing

Spotlight on 2020: Simon Doyle, Concha y Toro UK

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.

Accolade appoints new European marketing director

Accolade Wines has appointed Caroline Thompson-Hill to the role of European marketing director.