Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

That was the year that was

Published: 14 January, 2019

As we eagerly await the Christmas trading results, Lisa Riley looks back at 2018 and the ups and downs across the drinks categories

WSTA calls for wine tariffs suspension to avoid ‘no deal’ price hikes

Published: 11 January, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the government to temporarily suspend wine tariffs to prevent prices rocketing in the event of a ‘no deal' Brexit .

Looking ahead: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published: 20 December, 2018

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

WSTA reiterates ‘duty rise’ and ‘no deal' Brexit concerns to government

Published: 20 December, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week reiterated the “bleak picture” a ‘no deal Brexit’, combined with the pending duty rise, would paint for UK wine importers.

WSTA returns to Tokyo to promote homegrown wine and gin

Published: 28 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week travelled to Tokyo to showcase the quality of English wine and British gin in a bid to boost exports.

Brexit: WSTA launches #NoToNoDeal campaign

Published: 20 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned MPs ‘don’t bottle it’, while urging wine and spirit businesses to get behind a campaign that makes clear that a no deal Brexit would be unacceptable to the UK drinks industry.

Trade remains fearful of no deal Brexit

Published: 15 November, 2018

Following Wednesday’s marathon Cabinet debate on Theresa May’s draft Brexit deal, the Prime Minister was reported to drink a glass of wine before stepping out from 10 Downing Street to address the media.

WSTA expands board as part of strategy to support import and export

Published: 06 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has appointed two new board members as part of a strategy to increasingly concentrate on supporting import and export in a ‘new era of trading’.

Missed opportunity: What a rise with inflation means for the UK wine trade

Published: 30 October, 2018

Pub landlords and spirits importers will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning, but not the nation’s wine trade – which is looking at an extra £90 million bill in duty next year.

Duty frozen for spirits, cider and beer, but wine will rise with inflation

Published: 29 October, 2018

Investing in Britain’s future was one of the anthems that ran through Philip Hammond’s autumn Budget speech this afternoon.

UK winemakers lobby government to scrap “damaging” planned tax rises

Published: 08 October, 2018

Winemakers in England and Wales have banded together to try and convince the government to rethink plans for a duty hike that could hamper exports and stifle growth.

Brexit causes wine prices to rise

Published: 27 September, 2018

The average price of a bottle of wine has risen by almost 30p since the UK vote to leave the European Union (EU), according to new research.

No deal Brexit “not acceptable” for drinks trade

Published: 19 September, 2018

Brexit is the “most significant” short-term challenge facing the wine sector, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) told delegates at its conference yesterday (18 September).

Gin sales smash records

Published: 17 September, 2018

Brits bought almost 60M bottles of gin in 12 months – worth over £1.6bn and up 38% on last year, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed.

WSTA reveals keynote annual conference speakers

Published: 28 August, 2018

The WSTA has announced two keynote speakers in advance of its annual conference.

WSTA turns spotlight on English and Welsh whisky with new ‘trail’

Published: 27 August, 2018

The WSTA has launched an English and Welsh whisky trail to further boost growth of a sector that lay dormant for than a century.

Gin exports on track to reach £600m in 2018

Published: 14 August, 2018

The UK has further cemented its status as the largest exporter of gin in the world with yet another record-breaking start to the year.

Jago calls for trade to better promote its career opportunities

Published: 30 July, 2018

Speaking to Harpers at Berry Bros. & Rudd HQ in St James, the merchant’s chief executive Dan Jago made a passionate case for the wider trade to better promote the benefits of a career in the drinks sector.

UK and EU step up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit

Published: 20 July, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has voiced frustration over the plodding pace of Brexit negotiations as the EU published a paper on what businesses should do to prepare for a "no deal" or “hard Brexit” outcome.