Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cashing in on the experience economy

Published: 17 January, 2018

New research has revealed the huge opportunities for operators willing to embrace fluid eating and drinking trends. Jo Gilbert reports

UK Agents: are you being served?

Published: 04 January, 2018

I wish to be cremated… one tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in my contract,” quipped Groucho Marx of the breed that acts for the stars. Finding humorous quotes at the expense of agents is easy work, whether levelled at the acting or commercial world, with these designated business representatives – popularly the “10 percenters” – coming in for flack for apparently sitting back while counting their cut for little in return.

The new data deal

Published: 03 January, 2018

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the Data Protection Act on steroids. Failure to comply by May next year could mean huge penalties and reputational damage, says Andrew Don

Urban Logistics

Published: 03 January, 2018

From parking woes to traffic jams, the challenges that accompany urban deliveries are many. Simon Jack looks at how businesses can streamline operations

Trends of 2017

Published: 20 December, 2017

There has been no shortage of evolution in the drinks world over the past year, providing canny operators with plenty of openings for upping customer engagement. Andrew Catchpole reports

Greener Commitment

Published: 14 December, 2017

As more wine producers take steps to up their sustainability credentials, Lisa Riley asks how the rest can get themselves on to a greener path

Life Beyond Malbec

Published: 14 December, 2017

With Malbec the red darling of the wine world, Angela Mount brings together a panel of key buyers to explore whether there is life beyond the grape for Argentina

Independent outlook

Published: 14 December, 2017

Looking ahead to 2018, James Lawrence finds the indie sector in a buoyant mood, with flexibility key to meeting the challenges ahead

Pushing premium

Published: 11 December, 2017

With punters going out less but spending more when they do, the key to unlocking and maximising sales lies in activating the potential of the drinks portfolio. Here Enotria & Coe shares exclusive new insights into wine and spirits in the on-trade, helping operators identify the key trends

Rum revolution

Published: 11 December, 2017

With rum attracting younger consumers than other spirits, Nigel Huddleston considers its growing appeal

Bricks versus clicks

Published: 11 December, 2017

The same dopamine hit experienced alongside multiple likes on Facebook is shaping shopping habits online as well as in bricks-and-mortar retail stores. Jo Gilbert reports

Harpers’ poll on MUP reveals a trade divided

Published: 11 December, 2017

Following the recent Supreme Court ruling on minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland, giving the go ahead for its introduction on May 1 after a five-year battle with the Scotch Whisky Association, there can be no doubt that proponents in Northern Ireland, Wales and England will redouble calls for its introduction throughout the UK.

Discovering Spain’s private members’ club

Published: 08 December, 2017

Grandes Pagos de España is the association of top Spanish wineries whose members have been tearing up notions of old-school Spain. Jo Gilbert reports

Crunching currency

Published: 07 December, 2017

The impact of Brexit on sterling has been a major factor in 2017 trade. Industry insider Hamish Gillespie, finance director at North South Wines, explores how best to mitigate the downside

Finding the place of Cava de Paraje

Published: 05 December, 2017

Without the quality ladders of tiered local classifications, Cava de Paraje amounts to little more than a series of “remote Grand Cru islands”, argues Miquel Hudin.

The pros and cons of importing direct

Published: 29 November, 2017

Bypassing the traditional middleman can be tempting for indie merchants says Chris Wilson, who looks at the highs and lows of importing direct.

The Pack Outsider

Published: 27 November, 2017

Wine is thinking inside the box again when it comes to new formats, recognising that consumers want both smaller and more sharing possibilities. By Lisa Riley

Upmarket Champagne bucks downward sales trend

Published: 27 November, 2017

The Great British love affair with Champagne has been waning – except at the premium end. James Lawrence reports

Connecting with Generation Z

Published: 24 November, 2017

A new generation coming up behind the Millennials is presenting new challenges to the drinks trade. Andrew Catchpole reports from the Global Drinks Forum in Berlin