Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Drink led outlets outperformed casual dining chains last month

Published: 22 June, 2016

Drink led pubs fared better than casual dining outlets last month according to most recent figures released by Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Jim Beam distributors invest £1m in new category vision

Published: 22 June, 2016

The UK's biggest whisky distributor is looking to capture a larger slice of the £90bn spirits category by turning their portfolio strategy on its head.

Launching 31 Days of German Riesling

Published: 21 June, 2016

At last night's launch of 31 Days of German Riesling, Harpers spoke to Lea and Sandeman, who are now in a position to immerse themselves fully in the campaign following a soft trial last year.

From Bristol to Romania: How an Englishman became a key figure in Romania's burgeoning wine industry

Published: 21 June, 2016

When Philip Cox left Bristol for Romania in the early 1990s, little did he imagine that a quarter of a century later he would be the co-owner of the most profitable winery in Romania.

C-stores: How to convert top-up shoppers into loyal customers

Published: 21 June, 2016

Convenience retailing is on the rise, with consumers looking to buy 'top-up' or 'meal for tonight' rapidly replacing the weekly shop.

New Zealand's 2016 harvest expected to be 34% larger

Published: 21 June, 2016

As the 2016 harvest draws to a close in New Zealand, growers are reporting an excellent vintage with yields up 34% compared to last year's smaller than average harvest.

The Drinks Roadshow: June 28, Edinburgh

Published: 21 June, 2016

The third outing of the Drinks Wholesaler Roadshow arrives in Edinburgh on June 28, building on the momentum of our inaugural Manchester and Windsor events, promising a fascinating and informative afternoon for the regional trade.

17% of venues not stocking Chardonnay although it's still the on-trade's biggest seller

Published: 20 June, 2016

A new report suggests that the trade isn't listening to the needs of its customers, with a damaging gap emerging between the nation's favourite drinks and what are on wine lists.

Cocktail expectations are "on the march", says Matthew Clark

Published: 20 June, 2016

Pigs-in-blanket cocktails might seem like a bridge too far for most bartenders, but it this kind of far-reaching innovation which is capturing consumers imagination says Matthew Clark.

Majestic Wine sales soar, but profits slide

Published: 20 June, 2016

Majestic's financial year 2016 results show that while reported sales increased 41.3% to £402.1m, adjusted profits before taxes declined 30.3% to £15.0m for the same period as the company invests in a three-year transformational plan.

Massive disconnect between women and wine world's overwhelmingly male gatekeepers, says Monika Elling

Published: 20 June, 2016

Speaking to Harpers in the wake of Guy Woodward's column berating the wine trade for its lack of women in visible front line roles, Monika Elling, CEO of Foundations Marketing Group in New York City, argues that the imbalance of the sexes goes far deeper, to the serious detriment of the trade on both sides of The Pond.

Sauvignon remains useful prop for Verdejo to ease Rueda's path into the UK

Published: 20 June, 2016

In the wake of the previous decade's economic fallout, the once-booming Rueda region?like many others in Spain?has enjoyed a slow but steady recovery as it struggles to keep its prices buoyed while pursuing importers, shelf space and list placements

Drinks business "needs to be better at talking to consumers"

Published: 20 June, 2016

Drinks authors and quasi-comedians Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham have made at a career out of communicating and talking to consumers about the world of alcohol.