Merchants urged to get suppliers to sign Best Practice Guidelines for March for Independents

Today Harpers is calling on independent wine merchants across the country to help get their suppliers fully behind the sector by signing up to Harpers' Best Practice Guidelines,  set up to try and ensure relations between independents and suppliers are as effective as possible.

Rioja wines plan to boost premium sales as value soars 10% in UK

Rioja wines soared 10% by value in the UK in 2014, and the region now plans to boost its premium position with campaigns targeting the on-trade and independent sector.

Accolade Wines finalises Grant Burge deal

Accolade Wines has completed its deal to acquire the Barossa Valley's Grant Burge Wines, which includes its brand, business and Krondorf winery.

AG Barr buys cocktail mixer firm Funkin

Scottish soft drinks group AG Barr, the maker of Irn Bru, has bought cocktail mixer firm Funkin for up to £21 million.

Wine agency suppliers to be hardest hit in Tesco range cull

Tesco's pledge to cut ranges by 30% as part of a massive overhaul of its entire product base will hit wine and spirits suppliers, especially those on the agency side, and is likely to be followed by the other major supermarket chains, industry experts have warned.

Burgundy's Domaine Chanzy first company to use crowdfunding for IPO

Domaine Chanzy will be the first company in the world to use a crowdfunding platform to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on the AIM exchange.

Regional recovery in dining out market strengthens

Consumers in Wales and the north and east of England ate out more frequently than Londoners over Christmas, strengthening views that a regional recovery is happening.

Vinopolis set to close at the end of 2015

Vinopolis, the wine tour and tasting experience near London Bridge, has said it will close its doors at the end of the year with the loss of 180 jobs. 

Drinks trade saves £51m on glass recycling

The wine and spirits trade has saved an estimated £51 million in glass recycling fees per year in the last year, after a WSTA-led campaign sought to bring spiralling costs down.

Harpers March for the Independents campaign kicks off with retailer survey

Today marks the official start of Harpers March for the Independents campaign which over the next month will put the spotlight firmly on the needs and trading issues facing independent wine merchants.

Wine is now the UK's most popular alcohol drink with 30 million regular drinkers

Wine is now the most popular alcohol drink with 60% of adults, according to a new poll commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Jacob's Creek turns to its winemakers and growers for new TV campaign

Herefordshire English winery looking for UK distributor

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

Merchants get chance to get on top of their business at March for Independents conference

Beer sales on the rise after 10 years of falling sales following back to back duty cuts

WSTA sets out its own general election manifesto to the main political parties

What the drinks industry wants from the next government is laid out today in the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's general election manifesto.

IWC claims retailers can raise millions of pounds in extra sales by using medal stickers

Using award winning wine stickers on bottles can boost total wine sales by up to 15% in retail outlets, equating to millions of pounds in extra sales, according to research released today by the International Wine Challenge.

WSET honours top performing Diploma students at London ceremony

The brightest and most successful students who have taken part in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma programme were honoured at a special ceremony this week at London's Guildhall.

Power to fine supermarkets for Groceries Code breaches edges closer

The power to fine supermarkets up to 1% of their turnover for breaching the Groceries Code have edged a step closer after being laid in Parliament.

Concha y Toro beefs up push across six core wine brands

Concha y Toro UK is planning a renewed push across six of its core wine brands for 2015, as well as aiming to boost convenience sales.