Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky launches Never Drink and Drive campaign

Johnnie Walker is giving away 30,000 kilometres of free journeys home in the UK over Christmas through Uber taxi service, as part of its responsible drinking programme.

Business rates relief welcomed by pubs and drinks retailers

The 2% cap on business rates and commitment to a full "structural review", as revealed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement, has been broadly welcomed across all sides of the drinks industry - both on and off-trade.

Busines rates relief welcomed by drinks retailers and pubs

The 2% cap on business rates and commitment to a full "structural review", as revealed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement, has been broadly welcomed across all sides of the drinks industry - both on and off-trade.

Start-ups 'exploding' into wine sector

Start-ups have exploded onto the wine sector, particularly those with a digital focus, as 1,400 apps alone launched by 2014.

Despite positive H1 results, concerns about Greene King remain

Total revenue was up 3.3% rising to £614.9 million for the first half of 2015 fiscal year for pub company and brewer Greene King, but its operating profit dropped 3.1% to £123.3 million.

Wine Fusion launches Conviviality exclusive NZ wine

The Wine Fusion has created New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Bay of Plenty especially for Conviviality's Bargain Booze and Wine Rack stores.

Brown-Forman H1 and Q2 results curbed by poor foreign exchange

The second quarter results from Brown-Forman show net sales have rebounded, growing 5% to $1.135 million in the second quarter, but operating income declined by 3% to $303 million due to the negative impact of foreign exchange.

Thousands of Scottish bar, restaurant and drinks retail staff banned from selling alcohol

Thousands of bar, restaurant and drinks retail staff in Scotland have had their personal licences revoked after failing to meet deadlines over refresher training.

Jago to highlight Middle Eastern cuisine at new opening in Shoreditch

Good Wine Shop opens third outlet

Independent merchant the Good Wine Shop is opening a third branch - this time in Surrey's Esher - with plans for up to two more outlets in the pipeline.

London sees boom in restaurant openings in 2014

London has seen "unprecedented" growth in net restaurant openings in the past year, as 101 venues opened up, beating the previous 2006 record of 75.

Enotria appoints Hallgarten's Helen Munday as marketing director

Hallgarten's marketing director Helen Munday is jumping ship to take up the same role at Enotria, starting in January 2015.

Northern Ireland proceeds with minimum pricing policy

The Northern Ireland Executive is pressing ahead with plans for a minimum unit price for alcohol, despite similar plans in Scotland being reviewed the European Court of Justice.  

Swedish drinks monopoly Systembolaget 'not about maximising sales'

"We're in this not for maximising sales but eliminating the harmful effects of alcohol. Is this possible? I think so." These words come from Sara Norrel, head of buying at Systembolaget, the monopoly that controls drinks sales in Sweden.

Chinese importer Summergate bought by Australia's Woolworths Liquor Company

Woolworths Liquor Group has bought Summergate, one of the China's most influential wine importers, in a move that considerably strengthens the Australian retail drinks giant's position in the country.

Downward slide in fine wine prices halts, says Wine Asset Managers

The downward slide in fine wine trading has halted with flat prices for the three months since July 2014, but a change in perception has made consumers once ready to cough up £14,000 for Lafite 2008 now reluctant to part with £5,000.

Wine trade needs to wake up to online sales, warns e-commerce expert

The wine trade needs to reconcile the "inexorable shift" in wine sales online and the product's overall route to market, warns wine e-commerce expert Matthew Protti. 

Scotch Whisky Association confirms Pernod chief Pierre Pringuet as new chairman

Pernod Ricard's chief executive Pierre Pringuet is the new chairman of the Scotch Whisky Association.

Tesco makes changes to senior management team

Tesco has shaken up its management team with chief executive Dave Lewis taking a hands-on role leading the day-to-day running of the UK supermarkets.

M&S own brand wines wipe the floor at first round of International Wine Competition 2015

Marks and Spencer's own brand wines cleared the decks at the first phase of the International Wine Challenge 2015, taking home 69 medals and outpacing nearest rival Tesco by 37 medals.