Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Analysis: Hospitality seeks aid to halt closures

Published: 14 February, 2024

As the on-trade is hit by a cost-of-doing-business crisis, many are facing a tough decision unless government intervenes. James Bayley reports.

Managed groups eye expansion despite swathe of hospitality closures

Published: 12 February, 2024

Gaucho and M-owner Rare Restaurants will open 30 new sites following its double-digit revenue growth in 2023.

On-trade: Sporting chances

Published: 07 February, 2024

As a summer of major fixtures looms, quality on-trade outlets are increasingly embracing lucrative shared viewing experiences, reports James Bayley.

6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023

Published: 30 January, 2024

New data released today (30 January) has revealed more than 6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023, bringing the total number of closures since the pandemic to nearly 23,000.

Tech: On the plus side of AI

Published: 26 January, 2024

Innovative tech, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is sometimes reserved only for large corporations with massive budgets. However, more and more SMEs are coming to the party, James Bayley finds.

Managed groups enjoy YOY December growth

Published: 18 January, 2024

Britain’s top hospitality groups generated year-on-year sales growth of 8.8% in December, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

D&M achieves record Christmas sales

Published: 17 January, 2024

Drake and Morgan, operator of 17 premium bars and restaurants in London and Manchester, has announced record festive trading with like-for-like sales up 31.7% against the same period in 2022 (4 weeks to 31 December 2023).

Hospitality sales up 4% YOY in November

Published: 13 December, 2023

Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year (YOY) sales growth of 4% in November, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.

Live gigging could unlock £2.4bn boost for UK pubs and bars

Published: 29 November, 2023

A new CGA report published today (29 November) has revealed that gigging in the hospitality sector could be the catalyst for a multi-billion pound boost to venues.

Trade reflects on ‘mixed-bag’ Autumn Statement

Published: 27 November, 2023

Following rumours of a second duty hike in line with inflation, the government quelled fears by announcing a freeze on alcohol duty in the Autumn Statement last week.

Deliveries worth 15p per pound of restaurant spend

Published: 22 November, 2023

Delivery and takeaway sales at Britain’s leading managed restaurant groups rose 5% year-on-year in October 2023, according to CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker.

Wet October softens growth for hospitality

Published: 15 November, 2023

Britain’s leading hospitality groups saw year-on-year growth slow to 3.2% in October amid widespread poor weather, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Consumers seek affordable drink-only occasions Lumina finds

Published: 14 November, 2023

The latest Lumina research has revealed that consumers are opting for affordable drink-only occasions, with pubs and bars seeing the most notable share growth year-on-year, up 1.3% in Q3.

Hospitality scores big in Rugby World Cup

Published: 10 November, 2023

Bolstered by unfancied England’s route to the semi-finals, the Rugby World Cup generated double-digit growth in drinks sales for the on-trade.

Hospitality closures fall in third quarter

Published: 07 November, 2023

The Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners has recorded a fall in licensed premises of 0.3% – the equivalent of three net closures a day, in the third quarter.

No-shows in hospitality double

Published: 18 October, 2023

The latest research from Zonal and CGA by NIQ, reveals the number of consumers not showing up for reservations in pubs, bars and restaurants has doubled since September last year.

Britain loses 30% of nightclubs since Covid

Published: 29 September, 2023

Covid and changing consumer habits have led to a sharp drop in Britain's nightclubs, according to new research from CGA by NIQ.

Hospitality sales struggle amidst inflation despite 6.7% increase

Published: 08 September, 2023

According to the latest UKHospitality Quarterly Sales Tracker, turnover was up 6.7% in the last year to £137billion but, compared to 2019, remains almost 20% behind in real terms, when accounting for inflation.

UK chains enjoy profit increase

Published: 07 August, 2023

According to research from UHY Hacker Young, the UK’s Top 100 restaurant groups have recorded a twelvefold increase in their profits in the last six months, rising from £19.9m in September 2022 to £241.8m in March 2023.