Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New man at top for Louis Latour

Published: 23 July, 2008

Dan Townsend has taken up the position of managing director of Louis Latour Agencies UK.

Cannabis-flavoured drinks pulled

Published: 23 July, 2008

A range of cannabis-flavoured drinks has been removed from UK shelves following a regulatory investigation.

Greene King enjoys record profits boost

Published: 23 July, 2008

Brewing and pub chain giant Greene King has seen a 6% revenue increase, driven by record first half financial results.

Luxury food and drink purchases will rise

Published: 23 July, 2008

Consumers in the UK are set to drive luxury food and drink purchases above 20bn a year by 2012.

Record harvest in Washington State

Published: 23 July, 2008

A record grape harvest has been reported in Washington State this year.

UK retail sector set for packaging shift

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Retailers could see a change to recycling information for packaging on consumer products.

LVMH scores highly in luxury green survey

Published: 23 July, 2008

French premium goods firm LVMH, owner of Mot Hennessy, has come third in a scoring of the world's luxury companies, based on green credentials.

Subdued liquor spending hits Regent Inns' profits

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Regents Inns has spoken of "disappointing" trading results with end-of-year profit forecasts now unlikely.

Tesco moves on new US depot

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: Tesco is close to finalising the acquisition of a second US depot, which would facilitate the opening of a further 1,000 Fresh & Easy convenience stores.

Spirits auctions return to New York

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: Auction house Christie's will hold its first spirits auction in New York this week since Prohibition began in 1920.

Home Office launches Christmas alcohol campaign

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: The Home Office has launched a month-long campaign today (November 30) targeting retailers that sell alcohol to underage drinkers and routinely breach licensing laws.

Food fuels Marston's sales growth

Published: 23 July, 2008

Marton's has reported strong sales growth in both its managed and tenanted estates, but warned that it remained cautious over consumer confidence.

Provence aims to go green

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Provence-Alpes-Ctes d'Azur region (PACA) is offering monetary incentives to producers to help hit its targets for organic production.

25% of licensed outlets sell alcohol to children

Published: 23 July, 2008

More than one-quarter of licensed premises in London were found to have sold alcohol to children.

Government launches licence consultation

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: The consulation seeks views on a proposal to simplify the way in which licence holders can make small changes to their licence, such as changing a shop lay-out.

Lindemans heads to South Africa

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine brand Lindemans will include a South African range in spring 2008 having launched Lindemans Chile in May.

MPs fight to freeze Scotch whisky duty

Published: 23 July, 2008

The secretary of state for Scotland Des Browne is to continue fighting for Scotch whisky duty to remain frozen in the next Budget.

Chief police criticise 24-hour drinking laws

Published: 23 July, 2008

A chief constable has claimed the changes to the Licensing Act have made Britain's binge drinking problem worse.

Ministers set out national positions on EU wine reform

Published: 23 July, 2008

Europe's agriculture ministers have laid down national interest red lines' on EU wine industry reform in a meeting held yesterday.

Diageo looks for wine acquisitions

Published: 23 July, 2008

Drinks multinational Diageo is eyeing up potential acquisitions in thein the beer, wine and spirits market, and is even considering relatively low-production wineries.