Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New MD flags renewed UK focus for Vivino

Published: 22 October, 2020

Online wine market place and app Vivino has redoubled its focus on British drinkers with the appointment of Joshua Lincoln as its first UK MD.

SA online retailer launches ‘one stop shop’ in UK

Published: 15 October, 2020

South African online wine retailer Port2Port is launching a marketplace allowing UK trade to sell Cape wines direct to consumer.

Christmas to bring scant cheer for trade under tougher restrictions

Published: 14 October, 2020

The UK drinks trade will have little to toast this Christmas trading period if restrictions on socialising become more onerous, with a fall in off-trade sales compounded by a further dramatic down-turn in the on-trade.

Think Spirits panel identifies lasting change in new drinks landscape

Published: 14 October, 2020

The pandemic has had a profound impact on all aspects of the business of drinks, reshaping how trade and consumers interact and behave, while delivering deep economic uncertainty.

Zero waste wine range launched by Borough

Published: 23 September, 2020

Sustainably-focused merchant Borough Wines has launched a zero waste wine range that taps into growing consumer environmental concerns.

Kingsland Drinks lands Cellier des Dauphins

Published: 23 September, 2020

Kingsland Drinks has been announced as the exclusive UK distribution partner for leading Rhône producer Cellier des Dauphins.

Portfolio boosts for Bibendum

Published: 24 August, 2020

Bibendum has added a further new agency to its portfolio, boosting its Italian range aimed at the independent merchant and on-trade sectors.

Slow return for consumer confidence

Published: 20 August, 2020

Consumer confidence with regard to eating and drinking out dipped in the UK in July as the reality of an altered hospitality landscape sank in.

Diageo GB’s full year results reveal impact of on-trade closure

Published: 04 August, 2020

Diageo’s full year results reveal a 47% fall in operating profits globally as a result of the pandemic, with net sales of spirits down 8% globally, and a 4% dip in the UK.

Friday Read: Multiple price pressures

Published: 03 July, 2020

The following nicely captures the predominant supplier view of UK supermarkets.

Alcohol sales knocked back until 2022

Published: 04 June, 2020

Despite the shift from on-trade to home drinking, lockdown could still leave a sobering £7bn hole in UK alcohol sales this year.

Armit keeps up on-trade momentum with Liber Pater listing

Published: 11 May, 2020

Armit Wines is forging ahead with its plans to strengthen its position in the on-trade with a new addition to its supplier portfolio.

Gin revival vs survival

Published: 29 April, 2020

The current health crisis will hit the maturing gin market hard at time when competition is at its peak with buyers rationalising ranges and it may be only the very strongest that will survive, says Jo Gilbert.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wine Australia

Published: 21 April, 2020

In the third of our series on responses of the generic bodies to the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew Catchpole talks to Laura Jewell MW, regional general manager, Wine Australia UK & Europe

Champagne: Weathering the storm

Published: 20 April, 2020

With little to celebrate, it’s unlikely consumers will be reaching for the Champagne any time soon, but the category has weathered storms before, says Chris Losh.

Washington State reaffirms commitment to UK

Published: 11 March, 2020

Despite a wave of cancelled trade events elsewhere, Washington State went ahead with its London tasting yesterday, with the message that the UK remains at the heart of its export focus.