Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Prosecco sales grow by a third, with retailer own labels taking biggest share

Published: 18 April, 2016

Sales of Prosecco continue to outpace those of Champagne, according to new figures from retail insight leader IRI.

Insights: 'We are at a crossroads' in the UK wine trade, says Fontannaz

Published: 14 April, 2016

Across the supply chain the UK wine trade has been under tremendous pressure, according to Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine, and it has got to stop focusing so heavily on price and start communicating better with consumers.

Analysis: The wine trade has a case of 'Budget Blues' and rightfully so

Published: 08 April, 2016

The wine trade has a case of the 'Budget Blues. While spirits, beer and cider saw a duty freeze in the 2016 Budget, wine duty was handed an increase in line with inflation.

Insights: Indies find creative ways of attracting and retaining customers

Published: 08 April, 2016

From eye-catching shop window displays to well-honed social media campaigns, there are many ways for indies to reach new customers and retain their loyalty.

Insights: The importance of design when wine customers buy with their eyes

Published: 06 April, 2016

Customers across all retail sectors are buying with their eyes and the message behind the label has never been so important.

Analysis: California cool climate wines see sales soar

Published: 06 April, 2016

California wines are red hot in the UK at the moment, with their popularity driven by more restrained styles from cooler climates.

Insights: South Africa's bigger players need to drive the quality message

Published: 04 April, 2016

After a flush of niche successes, it's now up to South Africa's bigger players to drive the quality message home.

LWF 2016 Preview: London Wine Fair 2016 goes hi-tech with Bottlebooks

Published: 04 April, 2016

London Wine Fair is stepping up a digital gear by joining forces with wine software provider Bottlebooks. See the impact the new software will have on this year's fair.

Insight: The psychology of drinks selection in the on-trade

Published: 01 April, 2016

New research into the psychology of drink selection in the on-trade puts the focus firmly on customer needs

Analysis: The power of ProWein

Published: 01 April, 2016

With ProWein over for another year, Harpers.co.uk looks back at one of the mightiest wine trade fairs around and hears what attendees and exhibitors had to say

Insights: French wine exports to the UK are changing

Published: 30 March, 2016

The latest data from French customs shows Bordeaux wine exports to Britain fell sharply by almost 7% (6.79%) last year when compared with 2014, but their value increased by 2.08%.

Insights: How can smaller producers make the most of big trade shows?

Published: 22 March, 2016

Reka Haros of Sfriso Winery was pleased to not attend this year's Prowein because as a small producer she finds it difficult to justify the cost of attending the fair. Instead she and Marilena Barbera of Cantine Barbera share some lessons learned and how they are changing their approach to trade shows to make sure they get the best return on the time and resource investments they make for events they do attend.

ProWein 2016: The importance of brand building within the UK wine trade

Published: 22 March, 2016

This year's ProWein was marked by a distinct spilt that seems to be happening within the UK wine trade. Discovery of small producers and esoteric wines is growing in popularity, but simultaneously so is the emphasis on brand building within the wine trade. Bill Hardy, of UK's number one wine brand discussed the importance of why brand building is important in the UK wine trade.

ProWein 2016: The challenge of the falling South African rand

Published: 17 March, 2016

Between the bush fires, one of the most severe droughts in the last century and a toppling currency, South Africa has not had it easy in 2015. The currency specifically has been challenging for wine producers and could potentially pose a problem for wine producers in the year ahead.

Analysis: Why are Portugese wines still struggling in the UK?

Published: 17 March, 2016

It really is one of the great mysteries of modern wine retailing: why hasn't the huge critical acclaim accorded to Portuguese wines translated into either higher shelf sales or wider recognition amongst the wine-buying public?

Champagne's battle for the top spot

Published: 14 March, 2016

It's no secret that sparkling wine sales have been a massive success story in the UK market of late

English sparkling wine's southern charm

Published: 11 March, 2016

Recent research conducted by Harpers into the sparkling wine listings of around 50 mid to high-end restaurants in south east England and London threw up some interesting insights into the mix of fizzes offered both by the bottle and being served by the glass.

ProWein 2016 preview

Published: 11 March, 2016

With the world of wine and spirits soon to descend on Düsseldorf for ProWein, Harpers delivers the essential knowledge on the largest drinks trade show

Sicily takes control of its destiny

Published: 10 March, 2016

"Historically, the UK took Sicilian wine from northern bottlers in huge quantities," says Nick Bielak, director of Vinexus, whose agencies include the big Marsala-based co-op, Cantina Europa