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.

Retail industry boosted by strong spring and Easter sales

Overall retail sales continue to grow strongly and will pick up further in May, according to the CBI's latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey.

BrewDog to open craft beer shop

BrewDog, the maverick Scottish independent brewer, is looking to bring its definitive edgy style to the high street with the opening of its a retail store, BottleDog, which will specialise in craft beers at its first site in London.  

Tesco offers online shoppers hundreds of pounds a year in savings

Tesco has ramped up the stakes in grocery online retailing by offering potentially hundreds of pounds a year in savings to customers looking to get their shopping delivered to their homes.

Tesco ups casual dining focus as profits slide

Tesco is boosting its store refurbishment programme by opening 100 new Giraffe, Decks and Harris + Hoole outlets in the next year

Waitrose to roll out in-store cafes with wines by the glass

Cafés selling wine by the glass, deli foods and gourmet cheese could become the new norm across the multiple grocers, as Waitrose tests new café formats including a grazing area.

Private label wine prices jump 7.2%, says IRI

The average price of private label wine has shot up by 7.2% in the past year to £4.78, according to data collected by IRI.

Virgin Wines sees "loyal customers" join its Wine Bank

Virgin Wines says strong customer loyalty has encouraged 40,000 of them to join its Wine Bank Scheme, which offers customer 20% discount.

Q&A: Virgin Wines' Jay Wright talks independence, technology and customer loyalty

Virgin Wines chief executive Jay Wright opens up on what's happened since it separated from Direct Wines last year, as well as plans around personalisation and customer loyalty.

Online debate: how different channels are changing the digital landscape of wine online

We all know the importance of communicating and retailing online, but how effective is it? Harpers hosted an "Online Debate" featuring retailers and online specialists at PLB's independent merchants' roadshow in Manchester last month and found supermarkets, independents and even drink apps are changing the digital landscape of wine online.

?Growth of private label wines overtakes brands in multiples

Growth of private label wines is outpacing branded wines, and now accounts for over one-third of wines on offer across the major retailers.

Naked Wines' bond-funded fine wine is ready

Pressure on wine shipments mounts as US ports still deadlocked over contracts

Strike threats at western US sea ports are ongoing, with wine logistics experts predicting major problems for those who have not planned ahead.

Have we made an (April) fool out of you?

Just in case you have not realised, but we thought it was only fair to own up and admit a couple of the stories on today's news feed are not quite what they seem.

Bargain Booze expands in south of England

Bargain Booze has opened its first Kent store as part of parent company Conviviality Retail's expansion strategy.

Adnams Cellar & Kitchen retail sales up 6%

Adnams Cellar & Kitchen retail business saw a 6% increase like-for-like sales for the year to December 2013.

Spanish wine storms into second place at Laithwaite's

Spain has become its second-biggest category for Laithwaite's wine in the UK market, after sales rocketed by 10% since July 2013.

Treasury Wine Estates looks to double the size of its travel retail business

Treasury Wine Estates wants to double the size of it travel retail business within five years as it steps its distribution with exclusive and premium wines to airports, cruise ships, ferries and other key travel wine sectors.

Industry leaders say reduced glass recycling costs have saved businesses

Senior figures in the wine trade say steps to cut exorbitant charges for glass recycling could save some companies from going out of business.