Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Lousada steps up as CEO at QB

Published: 06 November, 2020

Quintessential Brands (QB) has announced changes for its senior team, with former MD James Lousada stepping up to take the role of CEO.

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.

LWC Drinks launches order and pay on-trade solution

Published: 28 September, 2020

LWC Drinks has launched a full-service order and pay solution to help the hospitality industry "stay safely connected” with its customers.

Friday Read: Multiple price pressures

Published: 03 July, 2020

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

Off-Piste Wines: Rewriting the rules

Published: 01 July, 2020

Covid-19 came at a tricky time for Off-Piste Wines, which was forging ahead with plans to put an £8m investment to good use this summer. Jo Gilbert caught up with MD Andy Talbot to find out what Plan B looks like for this forward-thinking business.

BBR confirms far reaching 'review' of troubled FMV

Published: 25 June, 2020

Berry Bros. & Rudd has confirmed that it is “reviewing” its Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) wholesale arm, with staff consultation ongoing, with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis almost certainly meaning that the business will not continue in its current shape or form.

FMV in consultation with staff over future of business

Published: 24 June, 2020

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) is understood to be in consultation with its staff over the future of the company.

Chris Ellis hands baton to Ian Peart as PRUK commercial director

Published: 20 April, 2020

Ian Peart (above) has been appointed commercial director at Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK), taking over the role from Chris Ellis, who is leaving the business after 16 years.

Jascots calls out to retail and wholesalers in need of stock as it pivots away from on-trade

Published: 23 March, 2020

On-trade supplier Jascots Wine Merchants has announced it is switching its focus to home-delivery and wholesale retail after sales plummeted from 85% of ‘normal’ to zero in the space of four days.

Greater urgency and clarity on business and on-trade support needed immediately

Published: 19 March, 2020

As the on-trade shuts down, suppliers and hospitality operators are continuing to press government and banks on the speed with which relief measures are needed by the trade.

Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

Published: 18 March, 2020

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.

Enotria & Coe adds four to portfolio

Published: 27 September, 2019

Leading wine and spirit supplier Enotria & Coe unveiled four new exclusive agencies at its autumn/winter tasting last week.

Q&A: Ben Henshaw, director, Indigo Wines

Published: 23 July, 2019

Off-piste importer Ben Henshaw talks Andrew Catchpole through his latest hands-on passion for making wine

Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Published: 18 June, 2019

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

Hallgarten’s Andrew Bewes and Steve Daniel on selling style

Published: 12 April, 2019

Premium sales, progressive lists, and off-piste portfolio additions are Hallgarten’s calling cards, as Andrew Catchpole discovers

Q&A: Robin Copestick, co-managing director, Freixenet Copestick

Published: 07 February, 2019

It’s hard to overstate the impact that I Heart has had on the trajectory of Robin Copetsick’s business – formerly Copestick Murray and, as of January 1, Freixenet Copestick – and where it is today.

Red Squirrel expands team into Scotland

Published: 14 December, 2018

Red Squirrel has grown its team north of the border with the appointment of a Scottish based account manager.

Freixenet-Copestick merger to create sparkling super supplier

Published: 09 November, 2018

UK-based wine supplier and brand owner Copestick Murray and Cava giant Freixenet have revealed plans to merge as of January 1.

House of Townend chairman John E Townend dies

Published: 17 September, 2018

John E Townend, chairman of wine merchants House of Townend has died.

Sign up for SITT - the only trade tastings tailored purely for independent merchants

Published: 25 July, 2018

As the autumn buying window fast approaches Harpers is once again running it’s popular independent merchant-focused Specialist Importers Trade Tastings (SITT) in London and Leeds this September, and we look forward to welcoming all indie buyers at these events.