Big four grocers face 'unprecedented' competition, says Kantar

Christmas sales figures are neck-in-neck across the grocery market, according to Kantar's latest data, which shows the retailers are the closest they have ever been since the market research firm began keeping records 20 years ago.

Festive figures: Grocers celebrate small victories despite minimal growth

Despite "modest growth" of 0.6% across the grocery market during the festive period, Kantar Worldpanel says this gives cause to celebrate - representing the biggest boost across the sector since August 2014.  

Harpers Awards 2015 are open for entry!

 The entry process for the Harpers Awards 2015 is well and truly underway with the opportunity for businesses and individuals from across the UK on and off-trades to receive recognition for their hard work and achievements.

Top 10 crowdfunded drinks trade initiatives

The rise in crowdfunding proves that in today's business world, the customer is more powerful and more vocal than ever before - and the drinks trade has been quick to capitalise. Laura Vickers reports on 10 recent stand-out fund-raising initiatives of the past two years

Q&A: Pierre-Henry Gagey, president, Maison Louis Jadot

Pierre-Henry Gagey has been with Maison Louis Jadot since 1984 and became president in 1992, following in the footsteps of his father who had joined in 1954 to become its director in 1962. He talks to Anne Krebiehl MW about the prices of the 2013 en primeur campaign and the challenges facing Burgundy now

GM Drinks shows how cash and carry sector can be key to future sales

GM Drinks has been in business for three years and is already distributing a million bottles a year. Richard Siddle talks to founder Marc Patch about succeeding in the cash-and-carry sector

March for the Independents campaign to put spotlight on wine merchants

Today Harpers is officially launching its most ambitious project yet to support and promote independent wine merchants. Here's how you can get involved in March for the Independents

Profile: Roka is on a roll

With its fourth and largest London restaurant to date, can Roka maintain its already high standards? Geoffrey Dean puts the kitchen through its paces

New Street Wine Shop changes strategy by consumer demand

After two years of trading, London's New Street Wine Shop is thriving. But, as Richard Foster discovers, its customers have entirely up-ended the original business plan

So what were those snowmen talking about? Winning cartoon caption revealed

In the December issue of Hapers we set you a challenge to come up with a witty caption for this cartoon by our resident cartoonist, Rob Murray.  Well many of you were brave enough to give it a go and we recieved plenty of entries over the festive period to choose a winner from.

Comité Champagne under attack for its "vindictive" legal dispute against Champagne Jayne

Guy Woodward, Harpers columnist and former Decanter editor, has attacked  the Comité Champagne today for its on-going legal battle against freelance broadcaster and educator, Jayne Powell, over the use of her "Champagne Jayne" monicker.

How did you do in our Christmas Quiz? Answers revealed...

Up to 95% of suppliers demand retailers change the way they work with them

Up to 95% of the 200 suppliers who took part in our survey into the behaviour of major UK retailers want them to change. Here Gemma McKenna reveals what suppliers really think of the big multiples

Tesco is worst retailer to work with say wine and spirits suppliers in Harpers poll

Tesco has been named and shamed as the worst retailer to work with in a survey of over 200 wine and spirits suppliers carried out by Harpers.co.uk. 

Rowan Gormley tells the naked truth about Naked Wines

No one can deny Naked Wines has an innovative business model, but is it everything it claims to be? Erin Smith asks founder Rowan Gormley to reveal all

Corney & Barrow signs exclusive UK distribution deal for all Labruyère Family's wines

Corney & Barrow has extended its French wine offer with the news it is to represent the full Labruyère Family portfolio, which includes Domaine Jacques Prieur, Domaine Labruyère Moulin-à-Vent, exclusively in the UK.

Kingsland goes on the road to Edinburgh and Manchester to showcase its new wine range

Kingsland is to host two trade tastings in Edinburgh and Manchester later this month to showcase its range of wines, brands and the growing number of producers it is working with.

Foncalieu puts winemakers at the centre of its L'Atelier Prestige relaunch

Leading French wine co-operative, Les Vignobles Foncalieu, is relaunching its L'Atelier Prestige wine range with a new look and focus on the winemakers behind the concept.

Sake set to finally make its mark in the UK in 2015

Drinks industry leaders praise outgoing Direct Wines' chief Simon McMurtrie

Drinks industry leaders have heaped praise on outgoing Direct Wines' group chief executive Simon McMurtrie, as he prepares to take up a series of roles as  chairman of different businesses.