The cat is still well and truly among the pigeons at Tesco. Following its £263 million profits overstatement, suspension of head wine honcho Dan Jago, along with seven other senior executives, and the current investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, every little has not helped.
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The whisky companies have been unveiling their big-hitting Christmas whiskies at a flurry of consumer shows in recent weeks, writes Dominic Roskrow, and it's clear that they're keen to cash in on the sector's current popularity by extending its appeal to new drinkers and attempting to be all things to all people.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Wine suppliers call for clarity over where multiples are headed next, as the Tesco scandal claims its first wine executive.
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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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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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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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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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