Nick Gillett: Aiming high with no & low

The “no & low” category, as it’s become lovingly known, is one that many spirits boffins struggled to get their heads around at first. When you look at the statistics, the success of no & low is startling. For the last two years in the UK, growth in the category has massively outperformed the overall total beverage alcohol volumes and in 2023 sales of low alcohol products doubled (IWSR data). And there are other markets around the world where it’s even bigger, where moderation and sobriety are more common and embedded in the culture. But let’s be straight – it’s still a small category when compared to rum, vodka, or even tequila – but the overall trajectory is on the up and expected to continue well into the next five years and beyond.

The business of bartending

The evolution of the bartender during Covid and beyond continues to define a role that calls not only for impeccable drinks and cocktail-making skills, but commercial savvy, too. Clinton Cawood reports

Rising consumer confidence suggests hospitality recovery in 2022

New research undertaken by CGA Strategy has recorded a strong desire from consumers to visit on-trade venues, indicating that the sector has successfully allayed fears concerning the Omicron variant.

Connected packaging revs up

At any one time, there are an average of seven trillion pieces of packaging in the world. The opportunities offered by technology to engage with consumers via the bottle are only just getting started, says Jo Gilbert.

Bordeaux Wine Week to fold in Vinexpo Bordeaux

The long-running trade fair Vinexpo Bordeaux has been officially retired by its organisers, replaced by the inaugural 'Bordeaux Wine Week' in 2022.

Shifting sales

With ‘shop local’ boosting convenience stores and premium on the rise, Angela Mount rounds up the changes wrought on and by the multiple retail sector.

UK becomes headline growth market for Georgian wine

Sales of Georgian wine in the UK grew dramatically in 2021, as British consumers develop a taste for the nation's indigenous varietals.

Spain inches up

Spanish wines appear to be holding ground against the broader UK wine market, with signs of uplift at the mid-to-high end. Andrew Catchpole sizes up the stats.

Long Read: Who do you think you are talking to?

Simon Huntington, former head of ecommerce at trade merchant and retailer Roberson Wine, looks at some of the difficulties faced by companies who have diversified into online retail and outlines how by trying to talk to everyone, they risk being heard by no one.

Navarra targets UK with new consumer and trade campaign

Spain's Navarra region is launching a new trade and consumer campaign in the UK this autumn, run in collaboration with PR firm Bespoke Drinks Media.

Rioja plays a starring role in Cune’s first UK campaign

Hatch Mansfield has announced the launch of its first UK marketing campaign for Spanish label Cune, which will hone in on the brand’s Spanish heritage while promoting their range of Riojas.

Low and no: How far will it go?

Consumer demand for no and low alcohol products and ready-to-drink is on the rise both globally and in the UK. But how long will this growth continue? Jo Gilbert looks ahead.

UK craft brewery openings hit record levels

Flying in the face of on-trade closures during the pandemic, the number of craft breweries operating in the UK has reached levels not seen since 1930s.

Cork’s march to ascendancy

Having removed much of the taint of TCA to cork’s reputation, the classic stopper continues to establish itself as a benchmark of quality, as James Lawrence reports.

The dark and light of rum

Harpers’ recent consumer tasting panel revealed a category that is yet to emerge from its mixology-focused reputation. But rapidly growing awareness and availability of quality liquid mean it could soon sit on a par with top-level Cognac and whisky. Jo Gilbert gets the 360° view.

Chris Maillard takes the helm at Decanter

Decanter has a new editor-in-chief in the form of Chris Maillard, a former Restaurant, BBC Top Gear, and Sky magazine journalist who has taken the magazine’s top editorial job.

Supply chains a priority post-Covid, research finds

Reconfiguring supply chains will be a key objective for businesses as they emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, a new study from the Capgemini Research Institute has revealed.

Paving the way back to tasting

Quarter of licensed premises remain closed as ‘rule of six’ rolls out nationwide

Nearly a quarter of Britain’s licensed premises were still to reopen at the end of August, with the London market particularly slow to recover, new data has shown.

Consumers positive about Eat Out to Help Out scheme

Consumers were very happy with the levels of hygiene and cleanliness they encountered during the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to an extensive survey conducted by CGA, UK Hospitality and Yumpingo.