Courvoisier announces new brand ambassador, Beckie Sullivan

Harpers' new Top 25 Sommeliers in the UK revealed

As the on-trade bounces back, Harpers is delighted to unveil its new annual list of the best somms in the UK.

Retail market starting to return to pre-Covid norms

According to Kantar, sales are falling at all the major multiples, but it’s not all doom and gloom. During the 12 weeks to 12 June, supermarket sales, including alcohol, groceries and softs, fell 1.9% year on year. Supermarket alcohol sales are also declining, down 12% year on year in the same period.

7,000 pubs forced to close in last 10 years

According to real estate consultancy Altus Group, the number of pubs in England and Wales is now at its lowest point on record, down by more than 7,000 in the last decade.

Report: How the on-trade is shaping up post-pandemic

Kam MD Katie Moses partnered with Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole at LWF to present Shaping Up the On-trade in a Post-Pandemic World. The analysis, based on extensive research into evolving consumer consumption and purchasing trends, makes compelling reading for any operators looking to sharpen their offer.

With the pandemic having wrought havoc on the hospitality landscape, it has changed, perhaps irrevocably, as existing trends accelerated and new trends have come to the fore. And, despite serious issues, including staffing, inflation and wobbling consumer confidence, there are new opportunities arising.

‘It’s not the job of businesses to solve global problems’ says Mangrove MD

A new taxpayer-funded ad campaign will ask businesses to cut prices to help with the cost-of-living crisis from July.

Rioja Wine Month returns this October

A month-long celebration of Spain’s finest wine-producing region across independent retailers and restaurants nationwide, Rioja Wine Month returns this October to bring the quality and diversity of Rioja to life for consumers across the UK.

National Hospitality Day returns for second edition

A landmark event pioneered in 2021 will return to the UK this year, uniting a diverse cross-section of businesses in the hospitality sector.

Britain’s cities back in growth as spend and inflation rise

Out-of-home food and drink sales are in growth in all of Britain’s 10 biggest city centres, with higher spend-per-visit driving growth rather than footfall.

‘Critical’ staff shortages costs hospitality £21bn in trade

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels and causing nearly half (45%) of operators to cut trading hours or capacity in order to cope, a new survey has said.

Winner Announced 2022 UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge

Mark Ron Patana from Medlar has been chosen as the winner of the 2022 UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge,  following a fiercely fought final which took place at the IRIS Studios in London on Monday, June 20. The Runners up were Frédéric Monnery from Coravin and Faidon Dernikos from 67 Pall Mall.

UK eating-out market set to value £95.2 billion in 2022 +4% versus 2019

According to the new Lumina Intelligence Eating Out Market Report, the UK on-trade is set to value £95.2 billion in 2022, +4% versus its 2019 value, meaning that inflation is outpacing market growth.

Cost-of-living crisis and staff shortages threaten £36bn hospitality and leisure growth

A new report warns today that the cost-of-living crisis could severely hamper the hospitality and leisure sector’s post-pandemic recovery amid a widespread lack of staff.

Managed groups' like-for-like sales flat in May as cost crisis deepens

Like-for-like sales at Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in May were just 0.1% ahead of the pre-Covid-19 levels of 2019, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals.

'Chronic' staff crisis continues as vacancy gap widens

New figures have shown how the hospitality sector’s staffing crisis is worsening under growing stagnancy in the job market, as the gap between new job creation and people willing to enter the workforce is widening. 

Third month of double-digit inflation hits food and drink

Data from CGA has revealed a third month of double-digit inflation for foodservice prices in April, with further rises expected and inflation unlikely to fall below 7% until at least next year.

Wine may be starting to score with football

Football is a global sport with a greater following than any political movement or religion (probably). According to Statista, more than a billion people tuned in to watch the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final. The official beer partner of that tournament, held in Russia, was Budweiser, and its bold American iconography could be seen the world over.

Nominations close as Top 25 Sommelier shortlist preparations begin

With the on-trade bouncing back there’s little doubt about the enthusiasm for and calibre of the UK’s sommelier fraternity if the ample nominations for Harpers Top 25 Sommeliers are anything to go by.

It's time for the on-trade to go off-menu

New research from KAM sheds new light on the changing habits of wine drinkers, with younger demographics a catalyst for growth.

UK Hospitality sets out its vision to support government’s Levelling Up agenda

A new report from UKHospitality, Level up hospitality – level up society, highlights how the sector is uniquely positioned to deliver growth and opportunity across the country and play its part in delivering the government’s and society’s priorities, by generating jobs and economic growth.