Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tesco buys Londis and Budgens owner Booker for £3.7bn

Published: 27 January, 2017

Tesco is set to merge with Britain's biggest food wholesaler Booker in a £3.7bn deal to create "the UK's leading food business".

Acquisitions and partnerships: Alhambra, Calabria Wines and AdVini

Published: 20 October, 2016

A leading Spanish brewery, a French wine company and New South Wales winemakers have announced new partnerships and takeovers this week in the hope of extending their reach to key international markets.

Stock Spirits acquires three new brands to bolster key markets

Published: 13 October, 2016

Major spirits producer Stock Spirits is incorporating three new producers to its arsenal.

Edinburgh Gin purchased by Ian Macleod Distillers

Published: 15 September, 2016

Spencerfield Spirit Company and owner of the Edinburgh Gin brand has been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers for an undisclosed sum.

AdVini acquires a 50% share of share in Ken Forrester Vineyards

Published: 15 September, 2016

AdVini, a predominately French wine estate owner, has acquired a 50% share in South African producer Ken Forrester Vineyards.

Casella Family Brands acquires and avoids closure of iconic Morris Wines

Published: 22 July, 2016

Casella Family Brands announced today that they have acquired full ownership of iconic Australian Morris Wines with an immediate effect for an undisclosed sum from Pernod Ricard.

Copestick Murray sells remaining 40% share to Henkell & Co

Published: 25 May, 2016

Henkell & Co announced yesterday that they have purchased the remaining 40% share of Copestick Murray.

Conviviality sales soar 137% for the year

Published: 20 May, 2016

Following the acquisition of Matthew Clark on 7 October 2015, Convivialty saw sales soar 137% to approximately £864 million for the 53 weeks ending on 1 May 2016.

Conviviality to acquire Bibendum PLB for £60m

Published: 01 May, 2016

Conviviality Plc has announced its subsidiary Conviviality Brands Limited has conditionally agreed to acquire Bibendum PLB for an 'enterprise value' of £60 million.

Famed Sonoma Patz & Hall winery sells to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Published: 20 April, 2016

Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer Patz & Hall has been purchased by Washington wine company St. Michell Wine Estates for an undisclosed sum

Hallgarten adds Turkey to its country portfolio

Published: 18 April, 2016

Leading UK distributor Hallgarten Druitt has its sights on bringing Turkish wines to the UK market by teaming up with Turkish producer, Kayra.

Les Grands Chais de France launches a new range of quality wines onto the UK following acquisition

Published: 18 April, 2016

Les Grands Chais de France is preparing to expand its offering of premium wines to the UK market following the purchase of Château Belles Eaux in the South of France.

Schenk Group purchases Italian winery

Published: 14 April, 2016

Leading wine supplier Buckingham Schenk's parent company has purchased a new winery in Tuscany.

Constellation announces acquisition of Prisoner Wine Co for USD$285m to grow wine business

Published: 08 April, 2016

Constellation Brands Inc. has announced its purchase Prisoner Wine Co along with is annual 2016 fiscal results, which show strong growth for the rapidly expanding company.

The Smith Report: A year of change for the trade

Published: 07 December, 2015

Looking back, 2015 has been a year of change and consolidation, but those business adapting are more prepared to pounce on the opportunities in 2016

The Smith Report: To deal or not to deal

Published: 07 August, 2015

There seems to be no end of M&A activity in the UK drinks market. But is what is driving the recent activity?

Bargain Booze and Wine Rack operator in talks to take over Matthew Clark

Published: 09 July, 2015

Bargain Booze owner Conviviality Retail has suspended trading in its shares amid media speculation that it is in talks to buy the specialist on-trade drinks wholesaler Matthew Clark.

Constellation buys Meiomi luxury Pinot Noir brand as Q1 sales increase by 7%

Published: 02 July, 2015

Constellation Brands is to pay US$315 million to add the premium California wine brand Meiomi to its portfolio.

Greene King set to dispose of 16 pubs to push through acquisition of rival

Published: 27 May, 2015

Greene King is set to dispose of 16 pubs in order to push through its purchase of the Spirit Pub Company.

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.