Extra travel restrictions threaten Christmas

Additional travel restrictions to the UK are threatening to deal an additional blow to the hospitality and foodservice industries as the government grapples with the march of the Omicron Covid variant.

Concerns over Christmas bookings for hospitality

Leading trade associations have raised concern about the impact that Covid-19 and the new variant Omicron is having on Christmas bookings for the sector.

Majestic reveals the trends to watch this Christmas

Sparkling wine and Champagne, Beaujolais, Rosé, bag-in-box and wines from South Africa are tipped to be some of the top sellers this Christmas, Majestic Wines has predicted.

Majestic returns to TV screens with first ever Christmas advert

Majestic, the specialist wine retailer, is to hit TV screens this Christmas with a new national campaign.

Young consumers set to embrace Christmas trading

Young adults are set to embrace pubs, bars and restaurants for Christmas celebrations, but older people may be more hesitant about eating and drinking out, new research from CGA has revealed.

Christmas 2021: An optimistic appraisal

The British tabloids have spoken: Christmas 2021 is unlikely to yield much festive cheer. Unfortunately, this isn’t simply press hyperbole – the UK’s food industry is under enormous pressure, while retail supply chains continue to be stymied by a lack of HGV drivers.

Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a set of data in September which confirmed that the on-trade staffing crisis has not abated. “Sourcing staff has been one of our biggest challenges since we reopened,” says Avinash Shashidhara, head chef at Pali Hill restaurant in London.

The big freeze

The tailbacks at Felixstowe are the latest plot-twist in the ongoing Covid and Brexit supply saga which is causing disruption for operators. Jo Gilbert looks at the impact on bulk shipments.

BWS sales continue to fall in grocery sector

Grocery alcohol sales fell by 6% for the 12 weeks to 3 October due to the impact of the reopening of the on-trade, the latest data from Kantar has revealed.

A third of consumers to stockpile drink and food products for Christmas

A third (34%) of consumers either have or are considering purchasing food and drink for Christmas before the end of October, new research has revealed.

HGV shortage could lead to a watered-down Christmas, Accolade warns

Accolade Wines has warned that truck driver shortages could have a major impact on Christmas sales, with on-going recruitment issues likely to limit stocks and drive up costs.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Jay Wright, Virgin Wines

Bouncing Back Q&A: Des Gunewardena, D&D London

Spirits overtake wine in shopping baskets

Spirits reached a major milestone in 2020, overtaking wine to become the largest category in terms of penetration in the off-trade for the first time in at least five years.

BWS supermarket sales surge 25%

Supermarket sales of beer, wines and spirits (BWS) surged 25% to £4.9m in the 12 weeks to 27 December – an increase of £972m compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar data released today.

That’s it for 2020: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Harpers

As we teeter on the edge of 2021, a new year and a fresh shot at health and prosperity for the drinks trade, Harpers would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas break in whatever form that takes this year.

Long Read: A virtual Christmas will pave the course for 2021

While big parties and large gatherings may be off the menu, premium drinks sales are still expected to grow this Christmas thanks to the rise and rise of online channels.

High street restrictions could have dire consequences for small business this Christmas

Local shops and businesses are on a ‘cliff edge’, with one in 10 facing permanent closure without a successful Christmas trading period.

Shopping boost for England falls short of 2019 figures

Lockdown fatigue has led to a boost in retail numbers as shoppers flocked back to the high street, though footfall has failed to deliver pre-pandemic levels.

At least 50k sites to be shut or unviable under new tiers

More than 50,000 of England’s licensed premises will be unable to trade under the government’s tough new tiered restrictions coming into place this week, according to research for the latest edition of the Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners. 

Naked apologises for site crash due to Christmas surge

Naked Wines has seen pre-sales of its Deluxe Christmas Collection sky-rocket, with 40,000 cases being snapped up in the first 24 hours.