Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Multiples: A shifting landscape of beverage consumption

Published: 15 May, 2024

James Bayley looks at the growing trend towards functional drinks, such as CBD-infused variants, and how the multiples are responding.

Shift in drinking trends emerges amid record alcohol-related deaths in UK

Published: 23 April, 2024

Alcohol-related deaths in the UK hit a record high in 2022, with nearly 2,500 more fatalities compared to 2019, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Demographic shifts propel stout resurgence

Published: 22 April, 2024

In a dynamic market landscape marked by shifting consumer preferences, the stout category is experiencing a notable resurgence, driven by changing demographics. Guinness is chief among the brands leading this charge, as highlighted in Diageo’s recent six-month performance update ending December 2023.

Portman Group releases label guidance for ‘Alcohol Alternatives’

Published: 17 January, 2024

Alcohol labelling regulators, The Portman Group, has released new guidance for ‘Alcohol Alternative’ products, defined as 0.5% abv or below.

YouGov poll shows rise in popularity of low & no

Published: 03 January, 2024

The Portman Group’s sixth annual survey in partnership with YouGov reveals young people are the biggest consumers of low & no alcohol alternatives, with nearly half (44%) of 18-24-year-olds surveyed considering themselves either occasional or regular drinkers of alcohol alternatives, compared to 31% in 2022.

Portman Group calls on government for low & no alcohol consultation

Published: 03 January, 2023

The Portman Group is urging the government to do more to encourage the uptake of low & no alcohol drinks and launch a consultation on low-alcohol descriptors.

LWC Drinks launches new, no-and-low wine collection

Published: 15 September, 2022

Italian wine producer Bosca has released its new range of low-and-no wines exclusively through LWC Drinks, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler.

Conservative Party members oppose wine tax hikes

Published: 09 August, 2022

According to new YouGov research, over three-quarters of Tory party members want tax on wine to be frozen at its current rate or reduced.

Wine may be starting to score with football

Published: 08 June, 2022

Football is a global sport with a greater following than any political movement or religion (probably). According to Statista, more than a billion people tuned in to watch the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final. The official beer partner of that tournament, held in Russia, was Budweiser, and its bold American iconography could be seen the world over.

On-trade calls for hold on VAT rise

Published: 11 March, 2022

In April, the VAT on hospitality sector purchases will return to the pre-pandemic rate of 20%. The increase follows two years of reduced rates for the industry; in July 2020, rates were reduced to 5% before rising to 12.5% in October last year.