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Christmas Report: how rum is spicing things up

Published:  10 November, 2014

Like the other spirit categories, the growth in rum is mainly driven by the premium sector. Spiced rum that is the latest big thing, with sales growing by more than 21% year on year, making it worth an annual £80m. It appears to be particularly popular in Scotland, where it accounts for over 21% of value sales, and at the younger end of the market, while well-aged rums are finding favour with a more discerning, 30-plus audience. Helen Arnold reports.

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Christmas Report: how vodka can drive festive profits

Published:  10 November, 2014

Vodka commands the lion's share of the spirits sector, with over 30% of total sales; not only is it the most widely drunk spirit in the UK, but it is outstripping the overall spirits sector, with annual growth of 4.4%. Helen Arnold reports.

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Christmas Report: why wine has reasons to be merry

Published:  10 November, 2014

It's that time again. With more than a third of wine sales coming through in the 12 weeks of Christmas, the trade is nervously checking the weather forecast and gauging the mood among consumers as shoppers prepare to fill their stockings, writes Gemma McKenna.

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France Summit Debate: UK trade leaders on how to get the most out of France

Published:  10 November, 2014

Harpers.co.uk talks with leaders of the trade at France Summit 2014 to see how France is working for them and how they are making the most of their French wine offerings.

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Can Booths leave its mark on the rest of the UK?

Published:  07 November, 2014

With strong sales growth across beers, wines and spirits, Booths continues to show the way forward in the north of England. But what can it teach the rest of the country? Andrew Don investigates

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How Russian entrpreneurs are driving London's jet set to destination wine stores and restaurants

Published:  07 November, 2014

If you literally have it all, where do you go and spend it? As Glynn Davis discovers, there is a new mini club of entrepreneurs with the pockets and contact books to attract the best wines and richest customers

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Christmas Report: why premium spirits are key for festive sales

Published:  07 November, 2014

Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:

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France Summit Report: How France is performing globally and online

Published:  07 November, 2014

Tim Wilson of the Wilson Drinks Report, Anne Burchett of Sopexa and Jon Rebuck of Winesdirect offer their insights and views on the latest trends surrounding French wines in the on and off-trades at France Summit 2014.

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Gerard Basset, Hal Wilson and Kathrine Larsen lead France Summit masterclasses

Published:  07 November, 2014

Hal Wilson co-owner of Cambridge Wine Merchants, Gerard Basset and UK Sommelier of the year 2014 Kathrine Larsen led masterclasses at last month's Harpers France Summit that looked at trends and what sort of wines were appropriate for the independent wine merchant and premium on-trade sectors. 

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France Summit Report: Are French producers adapting to the UK consumer?

Published:  07 November, 2014

How well is the French wine industry adapting to suit the needs of the UK trade and consumer? That was the question posed to some of the UK's leading French importers, on-trade operators and producers themselves at Harpers' second annual France Summit.

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Suppliers and indpendents unite for Best Practice debate

Published:  07 November, 2014

To help independents and suppliers work together more effectively Harpers hosted an open trade debate to see the difference the Best Practice Guidelines are having on day-to-day business.

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Analysis: The new Bibendum PLB supergroup

Published:  29 October, 2014

Bibendum's acquisition of UK drinks rival PLB and the merger of both businesses has created a supergroup, complete with five divisions, catering to the on and off-trades, independents, specialist beer and spirits and events sectors.

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TescoGate Special Report: how will retailers and suppliers work together in the future

Published:  17 October, 2014

Leading analysts and trade experts are divided over whether the Tesco accounting scandal will have ramifications for the wider trade. Some say there will be "no change whatsoever" in the retail landscape, while others say the change will be "seismic".

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TescoGate analysis: What next for suppliers and grocery multiples

Published:  15 October, 2014

Wine suppliers call for clarity over where multiples are headed next, as the Tesco scandal claims its first wine executive.

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Discounters are most "disruptive" force in retailing in 20 years say grocery and drinks chiefs

Published:  09 October, 2014

A poll of top-level food, drink and grocery executives at this week's IGD Convention reveals the rise of the discounters is the most "disruptive" influence on the grocery sector in the last 20 years.

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Harpers Special Report: multiple and supplier relations uncovered

Published:  08 October, 2014

Tesco has taken a bit of a battering in recent months, with profits slipping and then the little matter of the £250 million profit overstatement.  But although Tesco is in the spotlight, there are issues for all of the major retailers right now, as the discounters go from strength to strength and the Big Four's choke hold on the market weakens. Harpers.co.uk spoke to some of the wine trade's key suppliers and ex-buyers to find out their views.

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Christmas part 2: Key players weigh up the role of sparkling wines as the festive season approaches

Published:  07 October, 2014

The festive season is still the key trading period for sparkling wines. What do producers, brand owners, multiples and merchants expect from sparkling wines this year?

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Analysis: how effective has the Crus Bourgeois classification been?

Published:  06 October, 2014

Last week the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois arrived in London for the fifth annual review of the wines deemed worthy to use the Cru Bourgeois seal of approval. Five years into the new incarnation of the classification Heather Dougherty reviews its successes and challenges - and looks at its prospects for the future.

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Christmas Part 1: How bubbles are trending in the lead up to Christmas

Published:  06 October, 2014

A celebration is nothing without a bottle of bubbly and Christmas is no exception. In the UK Prosecco and Cava remain strong, as consumers favour other sparklers over costly Champagne.

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Ports, sherries and fortifieds get ready for Christmas

Published:  03 October, 2014

The tapas craze helped boost sherry sales temporarily but the category is now in decline, and Port is still struggling to shake its fusty and festive image. Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith look at how fortified wines can carve a niche

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