Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Duty and import confusion intensifies in 2022

Published: 21 January, 2022

Red tape and potential duty rises are going to push up prices for wine, as James Lawrence reports.

Consumer caution hits Christmas drinks sales

Published: 20 January, 2022

On-trade drinks sales fell by a quarter in the run-up to Christmas as wary consumers avoided pubs, bars and restaurants ahead of socialising on the big day, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Cold Christmas in the on-trade

Published: 18 January, 2022

Already battered on-trade businesses suffered further in what should have been their busiest time of year. Clinton Cawood reports.

ProWein postponement likely

Published: 14 January, 2022

It looks almost certain that ProWein is being postponed, with several German publications apparently confirming that the show is being pushed back from March to May, along with a number of exhibitors.

New Zealand Winegrowers postpones London event

Published: 12 January, 2022

The annual New Zealand trade tasting, due to take place on 9 February at Lindley Hall in London, has been postponed.

Alliance targets on-trade expansion with new appointments

Published: 12 January, 2022

Alliance Wine has recruited two new personnel into its on-trade division, with a renewed focus on growing the distributor’s customer base in the hospitality sector.

Jascots strengthens its fine wine arm with new appointment

Published: 11 January, 2022

Leading wine distributor Jascots has appointed Omar Raafat as its new head of fine wine.

Chile tasting postponed as other physical January trade events hang in the balance

Published: 05 January, 2022

Wines of Chile has postponed its 13 January showcase tasting in London, with several other organisers of tastings this month also understood to be considering whether to still go ahead.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Harpers

Published: 22 December, 2021

With Christmas almost upon us and 2022 chasing up behind, the Harpers team would like to wish all in the drinks trade a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hospitality underwhelmed by Chancellor's £1bn rescue package

Published: 22 December, 2021

Businesses are split in their response to the Treasury's £1 billion support package, with enthusiasm from some quarters, while others have claimed that the amount “borders on insulting”.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Matt Tipping, CEO, Jeroboams

Published: 22 December, 2021

Matt Tipping reflects on keeping the wheels turning through 2021 and how valuable new custom should bring cheer into the new year, despite the looming additional tax burden on wine.

Yuletide cheer

Published: 22 December, 2021

With supply and delivery issues forcing indies to be nimble and imaginative for the Christmas rush, Andrew Catchpole asked a trio of merchants how they prepared for the festive sales spike in such an unpredictable year.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Caroline Thompson-Hill, MD for Europe, Accolade Wines

Published: 20 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Caroline Thompson-Hill takes stock of the lessons of 2021 and calls out the challenge posed to trade by the proposed alcohol duty reforms.

"Landmark" UK/Australia trade deal finalised

Published: 17 December, 2021

The UK and Australia have reached an historic agreement on trade, in a move that has been welcomed by the WSTA.

Hard hit hospitality calls for further government support

Published: 17 December, 2021

As the hospitality industry continues to face a mounting crisis of cancellations and closures in the wake of Omicron and Plan B restrictions, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has urged the government to step in and save many businesses from going under.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Jacob Leadley, CEO & winemaker, Black Chalk Wine

Published: 15 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Jacob Leadley takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Wine vision

Published: 15 December, 2021

James Lawrence reports on the main findings from the ninth annual Sopexa Wine Trade Monitor survey.

30 Under 30: The drinks trade’s future leaders

Published: 15 December, 2021

Harpers is launching 30 Under 30, a brand new list highlighting the top young talent blazing a trail in wines and spirits. Self-nominate or nominate a colleague now to be in the running and to help us celebrate the rising stars working in our trade.

Whisky industry urges tariff ‘reconciliation’

Published: 08 December, 2021

A consortium of businesses has called upon the governments of the US and UK to remove all tariffs affecting the transatlantic whisky trade.

New Zealand Winegrowers to embrace hybrid event model in 2022

Published: 08 December, 2021

Following the success of the inaugural virtual New Zealand Wine Week in 2021, New Zealand Winegrowers will expand the format to include a mixture of live events and digital shows in 2022, beginning on 8 February 2022 (NZT).