Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA announces 2025 Industry Summit line-up

Published: 02 June, 2025

Restaurateur Jeremy King has been announced as the headliner for the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) 2025 Industry Summit.

Joint statement bemoans impact of EPR on hospitality

Published: 27 May, 2025

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, a coalition of leading pub, hospitality and brewing bodies has laid out its concerns regarding the cost and impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy.

WSTA executive board gains three new members

Published: 02 May, 2025

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added three new faces to its executive board. The decision sees fresh board representation for SMEs as well as for spirits giant Rémy Cointreau.

Condor partners with WSTA for new indie membership package

Published: 07 April, 2025

Condor Wines, the independent South American specialist importer, has partnered with the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) to launch a new membership package, designed specifically for independent merchants.

Industry bemoans 'April fool’s joke' as EPR introduced

Published: 01 April, 2025

Figures from across the drinks trade have reacted to the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation which came into effect today (1 April). The new policy which was intended to introduce a “polluters pay principle” regarding packaging waste has faced significant backlash from the drinks industry due to a series of perceived flaws.

How the wine sector can navigate Trump’s trade war

Published: 17 March, 2025

Thanks to “Trump 2.0, tariffs are coming. It’s not a matter of if, but when”, WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said at a standout Wine Paris conference, where leading industry figures gathered to discuss how to manage and offset mounting geopolitical tensions and trade wars on the global wine trade.

EPR headaches: the key concerns surrounding the policy

Published: 10 March, 2025

The Extended Producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme is yet another headwind in a now long line of challenges facing the UK drinks trade, with its implementation already well under way, but – some would say predictably – dogged by a lack of clarity and various unknowns.

Drinks trade pushes back on ‘flawed’ EPR

Published: 28 February, 2025

The UK’s leading drinks trade associations have written to the government highlighting deep concerns over the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR) scheme, while calling for a meeting with Defra.

Buyer’s Spotlight: The Battles to Come

Published: 18 February, 2025

Jason Millar on why the trade needs to get behind the WSTA-led wine duty campaign.

Moët Hennessy MD new addition to WSTA board

Published: 06 February, 2025

Julie Nollet, MD of Moët Hennessy for UK & Ireland, has been announced as the newest member of the WSTA executive board.

Drinks United launch new website to promote DEI initiative

Published: 05 February, 2025

Drinks United, the joint collaboration between the WSTA, the WSET and The Drinks Trust to promote inclusivity with the drinks trade, has launched a new website to promote its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative.

Soapbox: Time to look beyond duty easement

Published: 18 December, 2024

Barring a near-miracle, it is now highly unlikely that the current UK government will make permanent the temporary duty easement that is ending this coming 1 February. Speaking with Andrew Catchpole for the first of a two-part Soapbox, Miles Beale of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) – who campaigned tirelessly on that matter and helped galvanise the trade – says it’s time to learn the lessons from this “incredibly disappointing” outcome and look ahead to the key bumps coming down the road in 2025. The trade can, he argues, force through more positive and desirable outcomes in the near future, if it pulls together in a similarly galvanised way.

WSTA forges recruitment partnership with Wine Jobs UK

Published: 16 December, 2024

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has teamed up with Wine Jobs UK to lure the best and brightest talent into the UK drinks industry, widening access and “helping everyone in the drinks trade find better opportunities”.

Wine Paris preview: Turbulence ahead for wines and spirits in 2025

Published: 27 November, 2024

A shifting picture of diversification amid a challenging global landscape emerged from an interesting discussion in London yesterday (26 November), where Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Wine Paris owner Vinexposium, and Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, gathered members of the press to discuss the potential ways of returning businesses in the UK and elsewhere to much-needed growth.

Budget sparks criticism with new alcohol duty reforms

Published: 30 October, 2024

The UK’s Autumn Budget, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has announced significant changes to alcohol duties, drawing sharp criticism from the alcohol and hospitality industries.

Wine tax goes mainstream with BBC R4 focus

Published: 25 October, 2024

Plans to overhaul the UK's alcohol duty system, discussed on BBC Radio 4 this week, have raised concerns among wine producers, merchants and retailers, who warn that the new regulations could increase costs, disrupt trade and limit the range of wines available to consumers.

Industry pushes for delay on EPR scheme

Published: 24 October, 2024

With only a few months remaining before the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme begins, UK businesses are calling on the government to delay its rollout, citing confusion, unpreparedness and unclear costs. In a joint letter to Defra, over 80 companies have urged postponing the scheme until there is more clarity on its operation and expenses.

Drinks United appoints programme manager to lead industry culture change

Published: 14 October, 2024

Drinks United, the joint initiative by The Drinks Trust, WSTA and WSET, has named Laura Aiken as programme manager to steer its three-year strategy aimed at reshaping the UK drinks industry. Aiken brings experience in managing global culture change projects.

Wine prices to rise as tax changes loom

Published: 04 October, 2024

Wine prices are set to increase as UK retailers brace for significant changes to wine taxation starting February 2025. Businesses warn that the new system will require six-figure investments to handle the administrative burden, with potential annual costs also running into similar sums.

WSTA urges two-year alcohol duty freeze to boost economy

Published: 23 September, 2024

Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the government to freeze alcohol duty for at least two years, arguing it will help offset declining revenues and support public finances.