Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo stock climbs amid takeover rumors

Published: 08 June, 2015

Diageo's (Bloomberg: DGE:LN) stock has been climbing in early morning trading up nearly 7% following news of a potential takeover of the drinks' giant.

The Smith Report: Trust, the only true currency of brands

Published: 05 June, 2015

With the FIFA scandal making headlines, there may be an important lesson to learn for brands owners when considering sponsorship.

Distil 'optimistic' following Blackwoods gin and vodka success, despite overall fall in turnover

Published: 04 June, 2015

Distil has reported a "satisfactory year" as it completed it transition from UK third distributor to brand-focus drinks company, despite a large fall in turnover.

Jack Daniel's delivers another "superb" year of growth for Brown-Forman's 2015 year end results

Published: 04 June, 2015

Brown-Forman reported another year of growth with net sales increasing 4% to $4.096m and operating income increasing 6% to $1.027m for the fiscal year end of 2015.

Morrisons returns to growth, and Lidl takes its highest market share

Published: 02 June, 2015

Morrison returned to growth for the first time since December 2013, the latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel have shown, while Lidl rose its highest recorded market share.

Rabobank: There is a big opportunity for smaller and quirkier brands in the US

Published: 02 June, 2015

Rabobank has argued that many of America's food and beverage companies are in trouble as iconic brands are "increasingly out of favour with consumers", posing a potential opportunity for smaller artisans brands.

Consumer confidence in the UK hits a 9 year high, according to Nielsen

Published: 01 June, 2015

UK consumer confidence, which rose for the fifth consecutive quarter, hit the highest level in nine years according to Nielsen's most recent figures.

Copestick Murray reports strong performance on back of 'iheart' and Prosecco

Published: 01 June, 2015

Copestick Murray reported turnover up 15% to £23.6m in 2014 on the strength of its leading wine and Prosecco brands, 'iHeart' wine and Mionetto.

Gusbourne Estate set to raise £3.57m from share to boost investment

Published: 28 May, 2015

English wine producer Gusbourne Estate is looking to raise more than £3.57m to invest in its winery and brand.

Top ten things to know about the Majestic and Naked Wines merger

Published: 11 May, 2015

Last month following the announcement that Naked Wines was to be acquired by Majestic Plc for £70m, harpers.co.uk had an opportunity to talk with both Eamon Fitzgerald, the managing director of Naked Wines and the new chief executive officer, Rowan Gormley of Majestic Plc about what the merger would mean for their businesses.

Convivality Retail reports "solid year" as revenues rise on back of investments

Published: 11 May, 2015

Conviviality Retail, the owners of Wine Rack and Bargain Booze, said it was on track for a 'solid' year following investment and expansion of the business.

Naked Wines eyes up growth following its partnership with Majestic

Published: 11 May, 2015

Naked Wine's managing director Eamon FitzGerald talk to Harpers about the future of the new Naked Wines following its acquistion by Majestic.

UK vineyards 'missing out' on tax benefits introduced in the Budget

Published: 11 May, 2015

UK vineyards are missing out on tax benefits that are available to farmers, market gardeners and hop growers, Harpers has learned.

Smith Report: Election 2015: trade impact

Published: 08 May, 2015

The 2015 General Election has been a close call right to the end. But are the potential impacts the results could have on the drinks trade?

Morrisons continues to face challenges as sales slump 1.1% in Q1

Published: 07 May, 2015

Morrisons reported like-for-like sales down 2.9% in the first quarter of the financial year today with total sales (excluding fuel) down 1.1%.

Sainsbury's posts first loss in ten years

Published: 06 May, 2015

Sainsbury's has posted the first loss in more than ten years, but analysts agree the annual results are better than expectations.

Kantar: £532m lost from supermarket revenue pool in just three months

Published: 06 May, 2015

Kantar Worldpanel released it most recent UK retail figures today showing that "a massive £532m has been taken out of the supermarket revenue pool in just three months" according to Fraser McKevitt, the head of retail and consumer insights at Kantar.

Gusbourne Plc sales surge 56% in 2014, but posted a £1m loss for the year

Published: 29 April, 2015

English wine company Gusbourne Plc sales surged 56% for the financial year 2014, but because of expansion investments the company also reported a net loss of over £1m for the same period.

Diageo mulls fate of United Spirits boss Vijay Mallya

Published: 27 April, 2015

Diageo is mulling the fate of United Spirits boss Vijay Mallya, after its Indian- based subsidiary issued a vote of no-confidence in him over the weekend.