Retail figures slump compared to February, but still up for the year

Retail sale slumped 0.5% last month, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics - but sales are still up 4.2% on the same time last year.      

Q&A: Jonathan James talks to Harpers about his new franchise venture of Conviviality Retail

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 stores acquired by Conviviality Retail from GT News, talks to Harpers.co.uk about his ambitious plans for the business.

Conviviality Retail's franchise boss to consult customers on refit of GT stores

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 Conviviality Retail's stores, is rolling out a customer consultation process to get customers' input on the refit of its new stores.

Sainsbury's set to cut 800 jobs in shake-up

Sainsbury's has become the latest retailer to announce job cuts in a radical shake-up of its stores.

Tesco 2015 results report a £6.4 billion loss

Tesco has reported the worst annual financial results in the retailer's 96 year history, showing a loss of £6.376bn and underlying profit before tax fall just over 70% for the year.

Google's algorithm change favouring mobile-friendly websites goes into effect tomorrow

Google is set to change its search algorithm this week and it could pose some new challenges for wine and spirit brands, as well as retailers, that do not have mobile-friendly websites.

Morrisons announces corporate restructure with 720 jobs to be cut from HQ

Morrisons announced today that it plans to eliminate 720 jobs at its head office with the drinks team at risk of potential redundancies.

Tesco confirms shake up of wine buying team

Today Tesco confirmed several changes to its wine buying team as a result of a restructure including the appointment of James Davis MW as category buying manager for wine as well as some key departures.

Tesco to restructure wine buying team and bring in a new MW to help lead

Tesco is said to be announcing a number of changes to its wine buying team including bringing back James Davis MW from Greene King and a series of redundancies, according to a report on harpers.co.uk sister publication Off Licence News.

UK remains largest export market for Côtes du Rhône wine

Côtes du Rhône figures for 2014 confirmed the UK remained the Rhône Valley's largest export market, accounting for 18% of its exports. 

Mobile consumer spending to hit £53 billion over the next decade

Consumer spending through the use of smartphones and other mobile devices is forecasted to reach £53 billion a year over the next decade according to new research released by Barclays.

Record passenger traffic in UK airports could signal growing opportunity for wine and spirit brands

Three major airports across the UK hit record breaking traffic numbers last month, according to the most recent Moodie's Report figures, signalling the opportunity for wine and spirit brands in the travel retail channel could not be stronger.

Q&A: Andrea D'Ercole, Ipsum Vinoteca

Andrea D'Ercole has been importing Italian wine and food for the on-trade since 2003. Nigel Huddleston asks him why now was the right time to launch his own wine bar at Ipsum Vinoteca in Leeds

Pernod Ricard ups focus on Jacob's Creek & Havana Club for summer

Pernod Ricard is ramping up activity on Jacob's Creek and launching new campaigns for Malibu and Cuban rum brand Havana Club.

Independent wine merchant Le Vignoble boosts business with extension of wine lounge

Plymouth independent wine retailer Le Vignoble is set to boost its focus on its wine lounge with the addition of a new 'after-dinner' area that will offer customers premium artisan spirits.

Le Vignoble on bringing award winning retailing to the south west

Le Vignoble in Plymouth is a buzzy wine boutique and lounge keen to educate its consumers and turn them into life-long wine connoisseurs

Analysis: Majestic's acquisition of Naked Wines

Majestic Wines' acquisition of Naked Wines, and the appointment of Rowan Gormley as its new chief executive, will see the launch of a new international multi-channel wine retailing group. 

Harpers Wine & Spirit to join Agile Media

Harpers Wine and Spirit and Harpers.co.uk have, from the beginning of April, joined Off Licence News at Agile Media.

Majestic Wines acquires Naked Wines and names Rowan Gormley chief executive

Majestic Wines has bought Naked Wines for £70 million and named Rowan Gormley chief executive officer of the new combined group.

The Coop sees profit boost as business continues to turn around