News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chris Dee takes helm at Booths after 20 years with northern retailer

Published: 06 February, 2015

Chris Dee, who started his career at Booths as a wine and spirits director, has been promoted to the new position of chief executive officer after 20 years with the company.

10 Top Tips for suppliers on how to work better with independent wine merchants

Published: 06 February, 2015

Tim Carlisle, consultant and formerly of wine merchant businesses, Slurp and SH Jones, offers 10 Tips to suppliers on how they could work more effectively with independent wine merchants as part of Harpers' ongoing March for the Independents campaign.

UK's first Sake brewery and visitor centre to open in Cambridgeshire

Published: 06 February, 2015

Dojima, a Japanese brewery based in Osaka, which was founded over 600 years ago has established a company in the UK and plans to start producing premium sake on U.K soil this year.

Tesco calls on wine suppliers for added payments as Grocery Code Adjudicator starts inquiry

Published: 06 February, 2015

In the last 24 hours Tesco has issued two separate requests for wine suppliers to pay effectively the same additional payment for increased sales volumes they have received for their products following its recent product cull.

Scotch Whisky Association goes to Westminster asking government to support trade and drop duty

Published: 06 February, 2015

The Scotch Whisky Association argued this week at Westminster that as a £5 billion industry and a vital part of the UK economy the government should implement measures that support the sector and cut duty by 2%

US wine shipments threatened as ports gridlock ahead of possible shutdown

Published: 06 February, 2015

US ports are currently facing gridlock traffic as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association which represents shipping lines has failed to reach an agreement in contract negations with an impending shut down only days away.

Guy Woodward: Why the UK trade needs to turn its back on overpriced Bordeaux

Published: 06 February, 2015

I saw a headline the other day that grabbed my attention. "Hopes rise for Bordeaux prices in 2015". Ah, I thought, that's good - they're coming down at last.

Wine merchants can have their say and take part in March for Independents survey

Published: 06 February, 2015

There is still time for independent wine merchants to have their say and share their views on how they see the sector, the opportunities and challenges they face, which wine and spirits categories are selling the most and what they would like to see more from their suppliers, by taking part in Harpers exclusive online poll.

Newly formed New Zealand Craft Beer Collective comes to the UK

Published: 05 February, 2015

The New Zealand Craft Beer Collective, a group of craft brewers that formed in mid-2014, will soon be imported and distributed in the UK.

Portman Group hits back against 'misleading' calls for alcohol advertising ban

Published: 05 February, 2015

The Portman Group has branded research from Alcohol Concern which calls for restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship "weak and misleading".

Aldi set to open another 70 stores this year in the UK

Published: 05 February, 2015

Aldi plans to open 70 more stores across the UK and hire 150 store managers, 300 assistant managers and 4,500 store staff in 2015.

Conviviality on track to open 20 more stores by April

Published: 05 February, 2015

Bargain Booze owner Conviviality Retail is planning to open a further 20 stores by April, and is targeting the south west for expansion.

Diageo appoints new digital and e-commerce general manager

Published: 05 February, 2015

Marco Preda has been appointed to the newly created role of general manager, digital and e-commerce, Europe at Diageo.

Glenrothes releases a 1968 edition to its Extraordinary Cask Collection

Published: 05 February, 2015

Berry Bros & Rudd has unearthed another rare single cask it is releasing to become the third editon in its Extradordinary Cask Collection series.

Grocery Adjudicator launches Tesco investigation

Published: 05 February, 2015

The Groceries Code Adjudicator has launched an investigation into Tesco over evidence that it delayed supplier payments and demanded fees for better positioning on shelf.

12 ways indies can work better with suppliers says Les Grands Chais de France

Published: 05 February, 2015

A growing list of major wine suppliers and producers are now seriously looking to work closer and more effectively with independent wine merchants. Here Tim North, UK director for Les Grands Chais de France, one of the largest French wine producers with estates in all the main wine growing regions, offers his advice to merchants on how to buy and then market and sell their wines. Les Grands Chais de France is one of the partner suppliers behind the March for the Independents campaign.

Felix Solis UK toasts sales rise of 28% in first year as standalone firm

Published: 04 February, 2015

The UK arm of Spanish wine company Felix Solis is toasting a cracking first year as a standalone company as its sales have soared 28% in the last 12 months.

Great Western Wine reports strong 2014 sales helped by surge in Christmas trading

Published: 04 February, 2015

Great Western Wine has reported strong 2014 sales up 14% on the previous year with a particularly strong Christmas trading period where it increased sales by 25% year-on-year.