Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gap in recycling offers huge opportunity for brand owners and retailers

Published: 26 March, 2019

Concerns over health and safety are hampering the use of recycled materials in food in drink, new research has suggested.

Aperol continues to lead the way for Campari Group

Published: 05 March, 2019

The demand for Italian aperitifs is still going strong, after sales of Aperol jumped 56% in the UK last year.

Concha y Toro UK rings in bumper Christmas as supermarkets break sales records

Published: 21 January, 2019

Temperatures were unseasonably mild over Christmas, and from the latest results, it looks like things were unexpectedly cosy for UK retail.

Distell names new premium wine company

Published: 15 January, 2019

South African juggernaut Distell has officially announced the launch of its new premium wine division which will go by the name Libertas Vineyards and Estates.

MMD swells Burgundy ranks with Billaud-Simon

Published: 13 December, 2018

Maisons Marques et Domaines has been given exclusivity rights for Chablis producer Domaine Billaud-Simon.

Ditch vanilla approach to engage millennials

Published: 11 October, 2018

On-trade operators at Bar Convent were urged to ditch a “vanilla” approach in favour of taking a more political stance with the brands they pour and activities they run.

Neil Anderson: The importance of niche wine brands

Published: 18 September, 2018

We need to get wine brands right for the sake of the future of the category, argues Neil Anderson, marketing director, Kingsland Drinks.

William Grant & Sons report highlights impact of social influencers as spirits value growth overtakes wine and beer

Published: 13 July, 2018

A new “Active-ist” consumer mindset is on the rise, one which is more aware of its collective power to demand personalised experiences, shape brands and hold them to account.

Cutty Sark set for sale as owner Edrington reports 7% growth

Published: 25 June, 2018

Famous Grouse, Macallan and Highland Park owner Edrington has reported a 7% uplift in sales despite ongoing challenges in the blended Scotch market.

Diageo backs new gin flavour guide

Published: 08 June, 2018

Industry body The Gin Guild has proposed a new initiative to end consumer confusion over the flavour properties of different kinds of gin.

Leading Spanish sangria to touch down in the UK

Published: 15 May, 2018

Spain’s Zamora Company has teamed up with independent distributor Indie Brands to launch its recently acquired premium sangria into the UK market.

Bacardi goes Back to the Bar

Published: 30 March, 2018

Last month, 5,500 Bacardi employees left their desks and headed to their local haunt for the inaugural Back to the Bar initiative. Jo Gilbert finds out more

Profile: Kingsland Drinks

Published: 21 March, 2018

By taking an holistic approach from sourcing to supply, Kingsland Drinks is injecting innovation along the way. Andrew Catchpole reports

Shifting consumer mores

Published: 15 March, 2018

The latest Wine Intelligence research delves into the changing patterns of global wine buying and consumption, revealing some unexpected trends.

Maxxium UK rebrands in a bid to clarify market position

Published: 14 March, 2018

Maxxium UK, the UK’s sales and distribution arm of global companies Beam Suntory and Edrington has undergone an enormous period of change since 2009, when the head office of its global brand owners – then a mix of Edrington, Beam, Rémy Cointreau and former Absolut owner VMS – folded.

Bacardi marches 5,500 employees ‘Back to the Bar’ for grassroots on-trade initiative

Published: 09 February, 2018

Employees at spirits powerhouse Bacardi left their computers and labs yesterday and headed to their local bars as part of a global initiative to find out what’s driving engagement at the sharp end of the trade.

Why brands are the key to cracking China

Published: 19 January, 2018

China is without doubt the next frontier for the UK wine industry, but while the potential market is huge it is a notoriously fiddly country for western brands to penetrate. Christopher Haywood reports

French grapefruit aperitif goes up against Aperol and Campari

Published: 16 January, 2018

UK spirits distributor Mangrove has announced the addition of French aperitif Pampelle to its portfolio – marking the liqueur’s worldwide launch.

Window of opportunity for white, sparkling and low ABV wines

Published: 29 November, 2017

Wine is set to continue this year’s winning streak thanks to a boost from sparkling, white and low/no alcohol wines.

Connecting with Generation Z

Published: 24 November, 2017

A new generation coming up behind the Millennials is presenting new challenges to the drinks trade. Andrew Catchpole reports from the Global Drinks Forum in Berlin