Majestic launches largest-ever Black Friday promotions

Retailer Majestic has announced what it calls its “biggest-ever” Black Friday deals, discounting across more than 1,000 products from today (10 November) until the end of the month.

Hospitality businesses struggle to profit as 80% say investment stifled by cost rises

Rising food, drink and energy costs are eroding margins for the hospitality sector, despite a summer trading boost due to weather and sporting events, according to a new survey.

On-trade: Survival game

True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests,” once observed Eleanor Roosevelt. But after two years of relentless inflation, compounded by April’s increases in wages and business rates, few operators can still afford to be generous. The UK’s beleaguered hospitality sector finds itself at a critical juncture – venues have already streamlined, simplified and raised prices as far as they dare. Yet further increases may be unavoidable, creating the very real risk of significant impacts on footfall and average spend.

Study finds hospitality SMEs hit hardest by inflation

A new study from UK-based card payment provider Dojo has found that hospitality businesses’ operating costs have been hit harder by inflation than any other sector over the past decade.

Pub and bar closures hit five-year high as macroeconomic pressures bite

Alcohol-free beer bumps premium lager in inflation basket

In the latest update to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) – the basket of goods the government uses to measure inflation – off-trade sales of alcohol-free beer have been added to the list for the first time.

The trade reacts to a disappointing Budget

Trying to extract any optimism from the autumn Budget is potentially a fool’s errand. Alcohol duty will increase in line with RPI – a move many in the sector had pleaded with the government not to make. With RPI currently set at 3.66%, according to the WSTA, this will see duty go up 11p on an average bottle of Prosecco, 13p on a bottle of red wine and 38p on a bottle of gin. This, combined with the cumulative strain of the inflationary pressures of the past five years on consumer buying power, will likely continue to inhibit spend on alcohol.

SWA research suggests alcohol duties are damaging the public purse

New research from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has found that in the year to August 2025 alcoholic beverages contributed £3 in every £100 of inflation rises.

WSTA calls for Government to rule out duty hike

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on the government to get rid of plans to raise alcohol duty, to avoid further price rises that will fuel inflation.

NICs rises: One-in-five hospitality businesses planning redundancies

Research from Zest, the employee benefits technology provider, and Opinium has highlighted that almost one-in-five hospitality businesses (18%) are planning redundancies this year due to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) rises.

Forty-three breweries went bust in past year

National accountancy group UHY Hacker Young has reported 43 breweries went bust in the year to 28 February, many of them small independents, including Fourpure, Magic Rock and Burton Town.

‘Missed opportunity’ for businesses via Spring Statement

The trade has expressed its disappointment that no relief for businesses will be forthcoming via Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, as the industry continues to face a roster of tax hikes from the last Autumn Budget.

Budget review: A ‘horrific’ state of affairs for the trade

An outcry has erupted from the trade following yesterday’s Autumn Budget, which led to disappointment on many fronts, including a measly 1p off draught beer, further rises to duty for wine and a lowered rate of business rates relief which has been described a kick in the teeth to businesses.

Calling the Budget

Long-time spirits industry commentator and MD of Mangrove Global, Nick Gillett, speaks out ahead of the new Labour government’s Autumn Statement, arguing that ‘the best hospitality can hope for is to be left well alone’.

How the Bank of England base rate impacts the hospitality industry

The Bank of England’s base rate, also referred to as the Bank Rate or simply the interest rate, is a key economic tool that affects the cost of borrowing and returns on savings in the UK. Set by the Bank of England, it helps control inflation and maintain economic stability. 

Hospitality looks to inflation relief to raise hopes on sales and margins

Caution about the future remains a staple concern among Britain’s hospitality leaders as pressure on the cost of doing business continues to rise.

Hospitality faces inflation challenges amid mixed sales results

UK inflation dropped to 2.3% in April, its lowest level in nearly three years. However, the reduction was less significant than anticipated, dampening hopes for an imminent interest rate cut.

Inflation drains Treasury coffers by £600m

Soaring alcohol inflation has made an explosive hole in HMRC’s receipts, new figures reveal.

Alcohol duty rises impact inflation

Last August’s duty hikes for wine and spirits have contributed to December’s unexpected rise in UK inflation, it has been revealed, as the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) announces that the rate for the sector is now three times higher than it was this time last year.

Friday Read: Why luxury drinks need to change tack

Chris Jeffreys, creative director at Love agency, argues there’s no room for complacency with high-end brands in this era of high inflation.