The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Tesco to share consumer insights at the Harpers Debate at London Wine Fair

Tesco is to share some of its consumer insights and how it actively works with its customers to generate feedback, debate and help drive its wine and spirits strategy at the Harpers debate at the London Wine Fair.

M&S to offer cachaça and four new Brazilian wines in time for the World Cup

Marks & Spencer's stores across the UK will now offer Abelha Organic Silver Cachaça, a key ingredient in Brazil's national drink the Caipirinha, as well as rolling out four new Brazilian wine this month just ahead of the World Cup.

IWC 2014: Supermarket own brand wines take 8 of 13 Great Value Trophies

Supermarket own brand wines have taken home eight out of 13 trophies for great value wines at the International Wine Challenge 2014.

Consumer spending on the rise but discounters still winning, says Barclaycard

There are signs that UK consumers are also enjoying the benefits of an economic recovery with the latest spending figures showing a near 4% year-on-year increase in April thanks largely to the later Easter holidays and warmest April weather for three years. The on-trade enjoyed a very strong month with spending in restaurants up 16.8% year-on-year.

Harpers London Wine Fair debate: how consumers can power growth in your business

How major brands and retailers are succeeding in making their customers their biggest business assets through peer to peer recommendations, social media, online clubs and communities will be the focus of the Harpers Debate at this year's London Wine Fair.

Oddbins launches own range of craft beers

Oddbins is to launch its own range of craft beers as it looks to build its brand and capitalise on the growing craft beer movement.

Waitrose to grow online wine share with new website

Waitrose plans to grow its online wine share with the launch of a specialist site Waitrose Cellar.

German wine Black Tower partners with romcom film Walking on Sunshine

German wine brand Black Tower is getting behind British summer romantic comedy Walking on Sunshine.

Morrisons puts faith in further price cuts after another fall in sales

Morrisons like for like sales have declined by 7.1% in the first quarter, as the supermarket hopes its promised price cuts and revamped stores will sway consumers in its direction.

Morrisons shelves standalone wine site Morrisons Cellar

Supermarket Morrisons has decided to pull away from running its own standalone wine retail website and instead combine it with its new general grocery website, Morrisons.com.

Conviviality Retail predicts full-year earnings to beat expectations

Franchised off-licence group Conviviality Retail forecasts full year earnings to be slightly ahead of expectations despite flat sales at Bargain Booze for the 52 weeks to April 27.

Proof of age scheme PASS launches new identity card

Proof of Age scheme PASS is launching a new-look card on June 10 which will standardise designs and make recognition easier for retailers.

Bottle Green poaches national account manager from Australian Vintage

Wine importer and distributor Bottle Green as appointed Russell Smith to senior national account manager, with responsibility for two national off-trade customers.

Supermarket moves to sell wines by glass not a "slam dunk"

Moving more into hospitality with wine by the glass sales and casual dining is not a "slam dunk" route to success for the supermarkets.

Laithwaite's appoints former Carphone Warehouse boss as managing director

Tesco's credit rating downgraded to 'negative' by Standard & Poor

The UK's largest retailer Tesco has had its credit rating downgraded by Standard & Poor following a "greater than anticipated" decline in like-for-like sales and lower profitability.

Naked Wines turns to London Stock Exchange to help its next phase of growth

Naked Wines is preparing for the next stage in its rapid growth by joining a London Stock Exchange business support programme.

Harpers Awards announces its finalists for 2014

Restaurants, bars, sommeliers, multiple grocers, drinks websites, independent wine merchants, suppliers and brand owners will all come together on June 2 in the hope of winning a trophy at the Harpers Awards 2014.

Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling launches in Tesco Express

Germany's well-known Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling wine has grown its UK supermarket distribution with a Tesco Express listing at around 1,000 stores.