US Black Friday shopping extravaganza takes off in the UK

Despite figures from Kantar indicating that the UK has not yet fully embraced the US shopping extravaganza that is Black Friday, this morning major retail websites like Tesco Direct have crashed due to the demand in online traffic, and there have been reports of fights breaking out amongst shoppers in stores around the country. Black Friday it appears has arrived in the UK.

Wine Australia confirms Tesco's Laura Jewell as its new head of UK and Europe

Wine Australia has confirmed to Harpers.co.uk that it has appointed Tesco's Laura Jewell MW to be its new regional director for the UK and Europe.

#LidlSurprises and #AldiFestiveFeast host pop up restaurants in London

It seems the German discounters are not content at ripping up the UK grocery retail sector, they are now having a go at the on-trade too with news that they are moving into the ever popular world of pop-up restaurants.

Maison Sichel signs Amazon deal to boost off-trade sales

Maison Sichel has signed a deal with Amazon for five of its wines, with a special focus on flagship brand Sirius, in an effort to revitalise the brand after its UK off-trade distribution "ran out of steam".

Consumers to tighten purse strings on food and drink this Christmas

Consumers are planning to rein in Christmas spending on food, drink and gifts this year, according to a poll carried out by pub operator Greene King.

TescoGate latest: UK shareholders poised to sue over "reckless" accounting errors

A UK law firm is preparing legal action on behalf of Tesco shareholders that will allege directors and senior managers "knew or were reckless" over the retailer's "untrue of misleading" accounts, which overstated profits by £263 million.

Morrisons rapped by ASA for "misleading" wine adverts after only two complaints

Morrisons has been forced by the Advertising Standards Authority to pull what it claims are "misleading" adverts offering special promotions after only two complaints.

Online festive shopping major opportunity for retailers, says Euromonitor

Online shopping will rise globally and within Europe as consumers look for better deals online in the run-up to Christmas, but firms should ensure their sites are easy to navigate, mobile-friendly and have attractive delivery options, says market research firm Euromonitor.

Buck's Fizz is UK's favourite festive tipple, says Waitrose survey

Buck's Fizz, Irish coffee and mulled wine top the list of Britons' favourite festive cocktails, according to a survey of 1,000 people for Waitrose Cellar.

Aldi goes head to head with Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason with premium wine offering

Aldi is not just taking on major grocery chains, but looking to compete directly with high-end retailers like Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason with a super premium wine and spirit offering in the run up to Christmas.

Supermarket and supplier relations at a "crossroads" warns Pernod Ricard UK chief

Relationships between major supermakets and their suppliers are now at a "crossroads" according to Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, and we should expect tighter regulations to bring more control over the sector.

Nielsen predicts grocery sales to decline by £1bn in 2014

As grocery sales fall for the third consecutive month, Nielsen predicts 2014 will herald an overall decline from £146 billion in 2013 to £145 billion.

UK grocery market declines for first time in 20 years, says Kantar WorldPanel

The ongoing price wars in the British grocery market have led sales to decline by 0.2% - the first decrease since market research firm Kantar World Panel began keeping records. 

France Summit video: UK trade figures on how to get the most out of French wine

The chance to understand the France wine category better, hear the views of leading UK buyers, distributors and retailers and meet like-minded people in the trade were some of the key reasons given by visitors  who attended last month's Harpers France Summit.

Wine designs fail if don't stand for something, Stranger & Stranger's Kevin Shaw tells Wine Vision

The secret to good brand design is for it to stand for something which is where wine often falls down as they just all "blur" into each other, according to Kevin Shaw, founder of design agency Stranger & Stranger.

Glenmorangie launches Dornoch in to World Duty Free

Glenmorangie Dornoch is being launched in to the travel retail sector from November 26 in an exclusive deal with the World Duty Free Group before being released across the duty free sector. 

Consumers are now "risk averse" Future Foundation tells Wine Vision

Simon McMurtrie opens Wine Vision with clarion call to industry

Simon McMurtrie, chief executive of Direct Wines, opened Wine Vision 2014 with a clarion call to the global wine industry to do all it can to get people to not only spend more on wine, but to buy a wider selection of wines.

Majestic profits slip on the back of high investment costs

Majestic Wine's profits have slipped 10.5% to £8.5 million, although group sales are up 2.8% to £133.8 million in the first half of the year.

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.