US ports are currently facing gridlock traffic as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association which represents shipping lines has failed to reach an agreement in contract negations with an impending shut down only days away.
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I saw a headline the other day that grabbed my attention. "Hopes rise for Bordeaux prices in 2015". Ah, I thought, that's good - they're coming down at last.
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There is still time for independent wine merchants to have their say and share their views on how they see the sector, the opportunities and challenges they face, which wine and spirits categories are selling the most and what they would like to see more from their suppliers, by taking part in Harpers exclusive online poll.
Read more...The New Zealand Craft Beer Collective, a group of craft brewers that formed in mid-2014, will soon be imported and distributed in the UK.
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The Portman Group has branded research from Alcohol Concern which calls for restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship "weak and misleading".
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Aldi plans to open 70 more stores across the UK and hire 150 store managers, 300 assistant managers and 4,500 store staff in 2015.
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Bargain Booze owner Conviviality Retail is planning to open a further 20 stores by April, and is targeting the south west for expansion.
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Marco Preda has been appointed to the newly created role of general manager, digital and e-commerce, Europe at Diageo.
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Berry Bros & Rudd has unearthed another rare single cask it is releasing to become the third editon in its Extradordinary Cask Collection series.
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The Groceries Code Adjudicator has launched an investigation into Tesco over evidence that it delayed supplier payments and demanded fees for better positioning on shelf.
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A growing list of major wine suppliers and producers are now seriously looking to work closer and more effectively with independent wine merchants. Here Tim North, UK director for Les Grands Chais de France, one of the largest French wine producers with estates in all the main wine growing regions, offers his advice to merchants on how to buy and then market and sell their wines. Les Grands Chais de France is one of the partner suppliers behind the March for the Independents campaign.
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The UK arm of Spanish wine company Felix Solis is toasting a cracking first year as a standalone company as its sales have soared 28% in the last 12 months.
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Great Western Wine has reported strong 2014 sales up 14% on the previous year with a particularly strong Christmas trading period where it increased sales by 25% year-on-year.
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Conviviality Retail, owner of Bargain Booze and Wine Rack, has acquired 37 stores owned by GT News in a deal worth £6 million.
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Kent winery Chapel Down is looking to bump up production and has signed deals to double the land it holds under lease to 130 hectares.
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Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton reported €30.6 billion in revenue for its full year financial results for 2014, which was up 6% over 2013, with revenue increases in all business groups except the wine and spirits arm of the company.
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As part of Harpers ongoing March for the Independents campaign Angela Mount, former head wine buyer for Somerfield and now retail and management consultant for the wine trade, offers her Top 10 tips on how she thinks independent wine merchants can improve their buying and selling skills.
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Supermarkets are set to see continued low levels of growth as food deflation hits record lows, says a joint report from the BRC and Nielsen.
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Australia's oldest family winery Yalumba is to lose its chief executive of 30 years - Robert Hill-Smith - who is stepping down from the role to chair the board of directors.
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The Benevolent is encouraging the drinks trade to reward well performing staff with a night out at the industry charity's ball at London's Dorchester hotel on March 12.
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