"Biggest ever" Halloween boosts sales at Morrisons

High street retailer Morrisons saw a boost to its seasonal trading sales thanks to Halloween, where sales are up 20% year-on-year.

Consumers looking to premium spirits to express themselves, says Waitrose report

Self-expression and defining "who you are through what you drink" were the key drinks trends to come out of Waitrose's Food and Drink Report 2016 released today.

Robinsons expands Australian range with two sole distribution partnerships

Robinsons Brewery has teamed up with two wine producers from Western Australian, expanding its portfolio of "quality" antipodean wines.

Popular b.f.t. organiser Ben Campbell-Johnston passes away

Respected and much-liked stalwart of the trade, Ben Campbell-Johnston, will be missed by the trade

New Waddesdon national sales director looks to expand Rothschild wines in the UK

Waddesdon Wine, which imports and markets wines from the Rothschild wineries, has appointed a national sales director as they look to expand the presence of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR Lafite) within the UK off-trade.

Revenues double at Conviviality following "transformational" year

Conviviality Plc has reported strong growth across all three of its new business units, formed following the acquisition of Matthew Clark and Bibendum PLB.

Sam Harrop MW to step down as IWC chair after 11 years on judging panel

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has announced a shuffle of its judging panel ahead of its November tastings.

Wine and spirits hit £4bn in duty revenues for the Exchequer

Duty contributions for the wine and spirits industry has hit the £4bn benchmark for the first time, with alcohol sales hitting an all-time high.

Chile knocks out South Africa to enter top five countries by value in UK off-trade

Chile has stormed into the top five countries of origins rankings for the first time, overtaking South Africa as the country which has sold the most in the UK off-trade by value over the past year.

Millennials behind Aldi and Lidl's growth as the fastest growing spenders on grocery shopping

Millennial-led households are the fastest growing spenders on grocery shopping and are driving the growth of the discounters, according to new data.

Conviviality signs two-year supply agreement with Palmer & Harvey

Leading independent wholesaler Convivality Plc is entering into a two-way supply deal with Palmer and Harvey McLane Limited (P&H), supplying beers, wines and spirits in exchange for tobacco.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

New Kent vineyard celebrates first harvest

Another English vineyard is officially open for business, having completed their first harvest and opened their winery.

World wine production 2016 one of the poorest in 20 years

The amount of wine being produced worldwide has dropped to one of the lowest in 20 years according to the latest figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

No Malbec and rule-breaking makes a song and dance at Wines of Argentina tasting

WSET to open first international office in Hong Kong

The leading education body for wines and spirits in the UK has announced plans to open a second administrative base in Hong Kong in order to meet growing demand from greater China.

Work to build £9m UK sake brewery gets underway

Building is now underway at what is believed to be the UK's first sake brewery having appointed a local contractor to carry out construction work.

First wine, now spirits set to take a hit with rise in inflation and duty to slap a further £60m on consumers

The price of a bottle of wine and spirits is facing a major hike if duty rises in line with inflation, industry experts have warned.

The Epicurean launches in London this weekend

The team behind the London Wine Fair is gearing up to launch its first consumer event.

Bath craft brewery pushes into the mainstream with national listing

Electric Bear Brewery has secured a listing with a nationwide hamburger joint, marking further penetration of craft beer into the on-trade.