Looking ahead: Stephen Finch, Vagabond Wines

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses looked to make the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Andrew Johnson, Woodwinters

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

Re-thinking the turkey: Changing Christmas dinners opening doors for vegan wine

It could be a cracking Christmas for vegetarian and vegan wine, according to new research published by the IGD.

Moët & Chandon gears up for Christmas with pop-up in The Blind Pig

Moët & Chandon has extended its partnership with brand ambassador Jason Atherton with the launch of a pop-up in his The Blind Pig bar.

All the trimmings: alternatives to pair with Christmas

As summer slides inexorably into autumn, we Brits start ringing the seasonal changes. Light cotton shirts give way to warm sweaters, then the coats come out of seasonal hibernation. Afterwards there’s the annual dither about whether or not to switch the central heating on yet. Before you know it they’ll be playing Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas on a continuous loop in every shopping mall and supermarket between Land’s End and John O’Groats and offering deals on anything from Play Station consoles to family-sized boxes of Quality Street.

Festive Fuel

With Christmas set to deliver yet again for drinks retailers far and wide, Jaq Bayles takes a look at current trends to help merchants prepare for the golden quarter

Waitrose introduces 100 new lines to bolster premium position

“Functional booze is not our game. We need to tell a story,” says Pierpaolo Petrassi, head of buying, beers, wines and spirits at Waitrose.

Premium spirits worth 40% more to the on-trade at Christmas

The shift to premium spirits has happened and is here to stay, opening up a multimillion pound opportunity for the UK’s bars and restaurants this festive season.

No Christmas cheer for restaurant and pub groups

Restaurant and pub groups across the UK recorded a marginal decline in sales during the festive season, with drink-led businesses claiming the best of the festive trade.

Bier Huis signs exclusive distribution deal for Clover Gin

Bier Huis, the Ossett-based specialist beer, cider and spirits shop, has added Clover Gin from Belgium to its wholesale section as a UK exclusive.

Majestic reports strong Christmas sales

Majestic Wine saw bumper trading over the Christmas period with group sales increasing by 3.2% compared to last year.

Gin sales boom with 45% growth at Christmas

Gin was the runaway success of the last minute Christmas booze run, with shoppers buying a huge 45% more in the week before the big day than 2016.

Looking ahead: David Gleave MW, managing director, Liberty Wines

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.

Enough of the Millennials, what about us?

It is with us at last. The wonderful Christmas and New Year period when wine drinkers empty their wallets and flash their contactless cards with gay abandon. Filling their cars, kitchens and cellars with bottles, these treasured consumers keep our businesses afloat, at least for a few more months.

Looking ahead: Troy Christensen, CEO, Enotria and Coe

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.

The WSTA guide – what you need to know and what you need to question about the forthcoming budget

Budget speak explained by the WSTA

Virgin Wines adds boozy crackers and baubles to Christmas menu

Virgin Wines has taken Christmas gifting to a new level beyond the advent calendar with the launch of Prosecco, wine and gin Christmas Crackers and Boozy Baubles.

Trade prepares for premium push on Christmas wines

For most in the drinks world Christmas trade – the eight weeks or so leading up to the nation’s fuzzy wake-up call on January 1 – is a crucial period in the annual sales calendar.

How consumer on-trade spend could top 2016 this Christmas

Forecasters are predicting that bars and pubs could be set to exceed last year's Christmas takings, despite continued “shaky” consumer confidence post-Brexit.

Looking ahead: James Hocking, director of wine, The Vineyard Cellars