News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo claims first with ‘paper’ spirits bottle as part of new sustainability venture

Published: 13 July, 2020

Diageo has announced that it has created what it claims to be the world’s first 100% plastic free paper-based spirits bottle.

Hospitality Action launches fundraising campaign

Published: 13 July, 2020

Hospitality Action (HA) has launched an innovative fundraising campaign in support of the beleaguered industry.

Strong support for return of physical tastings

Published: 13 July, 2020

Some 85% of wine professionals have said “yes” to wine tastings in response to a survey organised by leading UK wine PR agencies and generic bodies.

Alcohol sales outperform soft drinks on first weekend back

Published: 13 July, 2020

Sales of alcohol in managed pubs and bars outstripped non-alcoholic drinks on the 4 July weekend, it has been revealed, with beer becoming the celebratory lockdown-breaker of choice among punters.

Bibendum announces exclusive partnership with Tutiac

Published: 13 July, 2020

Bibendum has announced an exclusive partnership with Tutiac - France’s largest winery of Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, with wines from 16 of Bordeaux’s AOCs.

Further blow to SA as another ban on alcohol is introduced

Published: 13 July, 2020

South Africa has banned alcohol sales again as part of a set of new restrictions to combat Covid-19.

MPs launch probe into the impact of wine certification

Published: 13 July, 2020

A group of MPs is today launching an inquiry into the impact of wine certification set to be brought into force at the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021.

Takings down 45% for 4 July weekend as managed outlets feel the squeeze

Published: 10 July, 2020

New figures have put a sobering picture on ‘Super Saturday’ and Sunday, with takings for group-operated pub, bar and restaurant outlets down 44.5% compared to the closest 4 July weekend last year.

Economics of on-trade supply have “hit a brick wall”

Published: 10 July, 2020

The Covid-19 crisis has stripped bare the precarious economic situation of the on-trade and its supply-side, with a correction in the market necessary to improve profitability.

GB sustainability initiative given the “green” light

Published: 10 July, 2020

The environmental sustainability scheme for the UK wine industry is now underway, around a year after plans were first announced in order to put GB winemaking on a par with green rivals in New Zealand and Champagne.

Treasury introduces millennial-focused Samuel Wynn & Co to the UK

Published: 10 July, 2020

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) is bringing Samuel Wynn & Co to the UK, three years after its debut in Australia.

Tune in for Harpers Innovation & NPD webinar

Published: 10 July, 2020

The latest Harpers webinar, Innovation in the time of Covid-19, is primed to kick off this Monday (13 July) at 11am.

Lanchester goes digital with in-venue ordering platform

Published: 09 July, 2020

Lanchester Wines has unveiled its newest technological innovation – an online order and pay tool to help on-trade venues re-open while observing social distancing rules.

June delivers another bumper month for online BWS sales

Published: 09 July, 2020

Despite the reopening of bricks and mortar stores, online continued to surge through June, surpassing May’s figure by 3.5%, representing a 33.9% upswing year-on-year.

Wines from Spain London tasting postponed again

Published: 09 July, 2020

London’s annual Wines from Spain trade tasting has been pushed back once again, with its revised September date now pulled in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Price cuts deliver unexpected bounce for Bordeaux 2019

Published: 09 July, 2020

A fast, four-week campaign with average price cuts of 21% confounded many expectations by delivering a successful En Primeur 2019 release.

Deliveroo and Majestic tie-in expands following lockdown growth

Published: 09 July, 2020

Deliveroo and Majestic Wine have announced another major expansion to their delivery partnership, taking the number of participating stores from 83 to 137.

“Kickstart scheme” for young people to lift up hospitality sector

Published: 08 July, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed plans to subsidise work placements for young people in a move that is believed to be aimed at stimulating the hospitality and tourism industries while tackling unemployment post-Covid.

Six-month VAT cut to 5% for hospitality and tourism

Published: 08 July, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a major cut to VAT for the hospitality and tourism sectors as they emerge from lockdown, as well as a first of its kind government-backed discount to help encourage customers to get back to the nation's bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes.