Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

John Lewis pension costs lead to profits dip at Waitrose

Published: 05 July, 2016

Waitrose has seen its pre-tax profits take a dive thanks to pension costs associated with parent firm John Lewis.

First of its kind South American partnership comes to London

Published: 04 July, 2016

Uruguay is hoping to make an impression on the street food scene with a partnership in London's trendy Shoreditch.

Bibendum app re-launch aiming to become the Instagram of the wine world

Published: 04 July, 2016

Bibendum is re-launching its educational wine app, Plonk, with the aim of re-creating the success of photo-led social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat.

Brexit uncertainty causes closures and U-turns in the on-trade

Published: 04 July, 2016

Economic uncertainty folloeing Britain's EU referendum has been cited as the main reason behind a celebrity chef's decision to withdraw from a restaurant development in Eastbourne and the closure of a fine-dinning restaurant in Harrogate.

South American billionaire adds Barossa to growing empire

Published: 04 July, 2016

ONE of the world's leading wine consultants and an Argentinean oil and gas billionaire have teamed up for a multi-million dollar investment in the Barossa Valley.

Brexit: "Scots need to drink more Scotch"

Published: 01 July, 2016

A leading figure in global spirits branding has issued some advice to ensure the future prosperity of the Scotch whisky industry in a post-referendum market - to drink more Scotch domestically.

Chilean wine production down 25% thanks to rain-laden harvest

Published: 01 July, 2016

One of Chile's biggest wine exporter has revealed that their red grapes were most affected by one of the most "oenologically challenging" vintages of recent times.

Tesco launches first pop-up wine bar

Published: 01 July, 2016

The UK's biggest wine retailer is jumping onto the pop-up bandwagon in order to push consumers to be more "adventurous" with their wine choices.

Government inquiry launched into licencing act which made 24-hour drinking possible

Published: 01 July, 2016

An inquiry has been set up to re-evaluate legislation which made it possible for consumers to buy alcohol "around the clock".

Category innovation unbalanced between fruit and apple cider, says Westons

Published: 30 June, 2016

Work needs to be done to get fruit cider drinkers to explore the rest of the category.

Brands continue to drive growth in German discounters and at premium level

Published: 30 June, 2016

Unlike in the UK, where branded products are used solely as benchmarks by which the stores can use 'we're cheaper than' claims, in Germany, Aldi and Lidl are gaining traction by welcoming brands into the heart of their offering.

Foley Family Wines added to Negociants UK

Published: 30 June, 2016

Leading Australia and New Zealand importers Negociants UK has been appointed to distribute three New Zealand brands within the Foley Family Wines portfolio - Marlborough based Grove Mill and Frog Haven and Martinborough Vineyard from Martinborough.

The great Prosecco confusion

Published: 30 June, 2016

Somehow, Prosecco has managed to embed itself in the public imagination with an image as clear and as crisp as a summer's day.

Summer push for Diageo Reserve's super premium gin

Published: 29 June, 2016

Diageo Reserve's super premium gin brand, Tanqueray No. TEN, has partnered with a series of London venues to continue to seize on gin's forward momentum.

Bacardi Brown-Forman liqueur launches new upsell campaign

Published: 29 June, 2016

Chambord liqueur is launching a new campaign to offer bartenders a "quick and easy way" to upgrade their sparkling serves.

Italy soldiering on post-Brexit

Published: 29 June, 2016

Brexit loomed large over the Definitive Italian tasting in London's Royal Horticultural Halls yester

French rosé forerunner expands UK range

Published: 29 June, 2016

Vranken Pommery Monopole group, known in the UK for Grande Marque Champagne brands such as Pommery, is extending its rosé offering from estates in both Provence and the Camargue.

How does Rioja work for you? Take the survey

Published: 28 June, 2016

Harpers, in tandem with Wines from Rioja, would like to find out how Spain's flagship wine region performs for the UK trade.

Brexit: S&P strips Britain of top AAA rating

Published: 28 June, 2016

Britain's economic status has been rocked following announcements from two top ratings agencies that they have stripped it of its top credit ratings.

Lidl and Aldi hit record high as top four lose market share

Published: 28 June, 2016

Grocery share figures show that the big four have lost market share on last year, while Lidl and Aldi hit a record high of 10.5% in combined market share.