Industry leaders say reduced glass recycling costs have saved businesses

Senior figures in the wine trade say steps to cut exorbitant charges for glass recycling could save some companies from going out of business. 

Majestic's shares fall 20% on back of profits warning for financial year

Majestic Wine's shares have fallen by as much as 20% over the last two days after it issued a profit warning saying its overall profit before tax would be flat for the financial year.

Changes to packaging waste recycling costs could save wine and spirit sector £38m

The wine and spirits industry has welcomed news that the government intends to lower the costs involved in recycling packaging waste, following a huge increase in glass recycling costs, which could save the sector up to £38 million.

Spar launches its fifth annual nationwide wine festival

Spar is to run its annual Wine Festival between March 20 and May 7 which will look to showcase its range of award-winning wines that start from just £4.

Wine price comparison site to predict when low prices are coming

Wine price comparison website Bring a Bottle is aiming to make predictions on when individual products will hit their lowest prices as the next phase in its development.

UK on verge of an "almighty price war" warns PLB's John Osborne

The UK retail industry is on the verge of an "almighty price war" amongst the major multiples as the rise of the hard discounters continues to dictate the dynamics of the UK grocery market, according to John Osborne the new managing director of wine distributor PLB.

UK sales of organic wine fall

Sales of organic produce have risen for the first time in four years in the UK, but the increase has not been felt across beers wines and spirits sales at supermarkets, where they tumbled 7.6%.

Bargain Booze franchisees set for bonus payment

Bargain Booze franchisees are getting their share of a £180,000 bonus pot this month from owners Conviviality Retail, following the launch of a reward scheme.

Best buyers understand and work with their suppliers, hears Wine Buyers Forum

The best wine buyers are the ones that do their homework on their suppliers, know their market, understand their customers and choose wines that match their own business agenda, according to two former supermarket heads of wine speaking at this week's inaugural Wine Buyers Forum i n Windsor.

The Co-op revamps wine range to focus on own brand

The Co-operative is introducing 56 new wines to its range, which will have greater focus on own brand wines - especially its Fairtrade and Truly Irresistible wines.

Over 100 buyers head to Windsor to take part in first Wine Buyers' Forum

Over 100 buyers from across all channels of the trade are heading to Windsor today to take part in the first Wine Buyers Forum where they will get the chance to have in-depth discussions with over 30 suppliers and take part in a series of targeted business workshops.

Deadline for Harpers Awards 2014 extended for a further week

The deadline for entries to this year's Harpers Awards has been extended for another week.

Christmas 2013: the winners and losers

Helen Stares, client business partner at Nielsen, takes a look at premiumisation across the drinks trade last Christmas and how the solid growth was at the top end

The merchants of vintage

The third meeting of Harpers' Independent Wine Crew of leading multi-site wine merchants reflected a real step-change in how they are able to help each other in buying, sourcing and storing wine. Richard Siddle and Erin Smith report

New device aims to turn water into wine

The founder of struggling flash wine sale site Lot 18 has come up with another radical idea for the wine trade -a machine to turn water into wine within three days.

Vente-privee.com to launch wine flash sales in the UK

The growth of flash-sales sites looks set to hit online wine retailers as French giant vente-privee.com prepares for its UK wine launch.

The Co-operative looks to convert mainstream wine brands to Fairtrade

The Co-operative is looking to recruit more mainstream wine brands into Fairtrade as it prepares to relaunch its range.

Virgin Wines to sell fine wines from New World

Specialist drinks retailers not enjoying same level of growth as rest of high street says CBI

Specialist drink and food retailers are not performing as strongly as the rest of the retail industry which has seen sales grow at their fastest pace since June 2012, according to the latest figures from the CBI.

Online retailer Winetrust100 hits targets for first year