Morrisons' new boss faces a tough challenge say City analysts

Morrison's results were broadly in line with expectations, City analysts agreed - but incoming chief executive David Potts faces a tough year.

UK casual dining sales enjoy 23rd consecutive month of growth

Pubs and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales edge up 1.6% across the UK, making February the 23rd consecutive month to show growth, according to new figures released by the Coffer Peach Business Tracker figures.

Morrisons posts losses of £792m as 23 convenience stores come into the firing line

Morrisons has posted an annual pre-tax loss of £792m, as total turnover fell 4.9% to £16,816m in the 52 weeks to 1 February 2015.

Spanish winery Abadia Retuerta returns to UK with Enotria

VIDEO: The stars shined brightly at inaugural Skin Côntact concert for Wine Relief raising £10,000

The wine industry's first ever rock band, Skin Côntact, took the wine trade by storm on Monday night on stage at London's Vinopolis wowing the audience and helping to raise over £10,000 for Wine Relief, the wine trade's initiative for Comic Relief.

Mitchells & Butlers launches its most ambitious apprenticeship scheme

Mitchells & Butlers is backing the National Apprenticeship Week by launching a new scheme that it hopes will help it find its managers of the future.

Maxxium promotes Mark Riley from head of off-trade to group's managing director

Spirit distributor Maxxium UK has named Mark Riley as its new managing director, who will take up the role next month.

Supermarkets lose £400m in sales as price deflation gives further savings to consumers

Supermarkets are missing out on £400 million in sales as price deflation continues to pick up pace offering further savings to consumers, according to latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Villa Maria launches lighter alcohol wine range

New Zealand winery Villa Maria is set to launch a lower abv wine range into the UK off-trade.

Best of British: we celebrate Top Merchants around the country

In part two of our Best of British feature, Harpers takes a look at three more independent wine merchants to keep your eyes on.

Smith & Wollensky hires Boisdale's Nathan Evans to spearhead its London launch

Nathan Evans has been recruited from the Boisdale Group to help oversee the launch of the famous US steakhouse chain, Smith & Wollensky in to the UK

Spain and Argentina are the two big winners in the UK on-trade says new report

Spain and Argentina were the two big winners in the UK on-trade last year, according to the latest Wine On-Premise report from Wine Business Solutions.

Leading Labour MP calls on Chancellor to cut "shocking" duty levels in Budget

Leading front bench MP Sadiq Khan has followed up a Harpers request to lobby the Chancellor for a 2% cut in alcohol duty for wine and spirits and back the Wine & Spirit Trade Association-led Drop the Duty campaign.  

2015 London Wine Fair will be the "most diverse" ever promises show organisers

This year's London Wine Fair will be the most diverse in its 35 year history, according to show director Ross Carter.

ProWein Preview: The Brits are coming!

Downtown Düsseldorf will be the place to be this March as ProWein opens its doors to hordes of international buyers - with the Brits increasingly first in the queue. Here is what you can expect for arguably the largest drinks tradeshow in the world.

María José Sevilla, Wines from Spain, on what we can expect next in the UK

Consumer knowledge of Spanish wines has grown exponentially in the UK in recent years. María José Sevilla, director of Wines From Spain, talks to Harpers about what's next.

Country analysis: Californian wines hit the jackpot in the UK

It seems California wines have struck gold in the UK in recent years, as the value of US wine exports has exponentially grown within the global wine market, despite volumes staying relatively stable, writes Erin Smith

High dining in the "Walkie Talkie's" Sky Garden

Rhubarb, the south-west London-based caterer-turned-restaurateur has three venues atop the £200-million 20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed the "Walkie-Talkie" for its distinctive top-heavy shape. Together, the Sky Pod Bar, Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch Seafood Bar & Grill are intended to form a "gourmet, garden oasis". And so they do, writes Douglas Blyde.

Pernod Ricard's Denis O'Flynn urges senior industry figures to sign up and back WSTA

More senior businesses and figures in the UK wine and spirits industry need to get behind the work of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to try and protects its future growth, according to Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, and the trade body's new chairman.

Bordeaux's last chance to transform "out of touch" en primeur system says Tim Atkin

Leading UK wine critic and Harpers columnist, Tim Atkin MW, has fired a warning shot across the bows of Bordeaux and warned its producers and chateaux that they need to listen to the international critricism of its en primeur system and make serious changes or risk looking "ridiculous" in the eyes of the wine world.