Major drinks firms back Harpers call to get producers behind Call Time on Duty campaign

Direct Wines, Matthew Clark and Bibendum are just three of the big name UK wine companies that have got behind the Harpers initiative to get as many wine producers as possible to back the Wine & Spirit Trade Association-led Call Time on Duty campaign and make the government aware how damaging its on-going alcohol duty strategy is on the UK drinks industry.

Naked Wines promotes Eamon FitzGerald to managing director

The online wine retailer Naked Wines has promoted Eamon FitzGerald to managing director of its UK operation

?India's Soul Tree Wines targets UK retail

Free Run Wines to boost its French portfolio

Free Run Wines is planning a boost its French portfolio and develop intellectual property to add value to the business.

?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, Q&As, and opinion stories.

PLB takes its wines on the road to independents

Harpers has teamed up with national wine distributor PLB to run a special debate on the growth and opportunity in online retailing as part of its series of regional roadshows that is taking its wines to the independent trade in March.

Below cost ban means average bottle of wine must sell above £2.41

Virgin Wines ramps up Fairtrade Fortnight support

Stand out from the crowd and enter the Harpers Awards 2014

The Harpers Awards is your opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for all the hard work you do. With a host of categories across the industry and the on- and off-trade, here's how you can get involved.

Euromonitor reveals the key global consumer trends for 2014

The increased blurring between online and offline shopping, turning social media followers into buyers and the growing importance of ethical, green and community needs when making purchasing decisions are some of the key conclusions in a major study of consumer trends for 2014 from Euromonitor, the research specialists.

Direct Wines on course to hit annual sales target after strong Christmas performance

Direct Wines is on course to hit its annual financial targets after a strong Christmas performance, particularly online, according to group chief executive, Simon McMurtrie.

Q&A with Conviviality boss Diana Hunter and her plans for Wine Rack and Bargain Booze

Diana Hunter, chief executive of Conviviality Retail, which owns Bargain Booze and Wine Rack, talks acquisitions, Wine Rack's expansion and why wine is a major priority for the group. 

Christmas cheer for Conviviality as half year sales fall

Windsor 2014 attracts key players with collective buying power of over £222m

Up to two thirds of the buyers signed up for the Windsor 2014 Wine Buyers' Forum are from the independent on and off-trade sectors whilst the collective buying power of all the buyers attending is now over £222m.

Rolling update: Key drinks figures tell MPs about the damage duty increases have on UK businesses

Leading figures from across the UK wine and spirits industry joined the trade lobby that took the Call Time On Duty campaign to MPs at the House of Commons last night.

Wine retailing: turning stores into entertainment destinations to compete with online

To stop losing sales to the internet, high-street outlets must become destinations, offering as much theatre as wine, reports Glynn Davis

Morrisons ecommerce site goes live

Christmas boost for 2013 sales across on and off-trades

Despite the weather, most operators in the on- and off-trade had a great December. Gemma McKenna reports

?Harpers Awards 2014: How to enter and new awards categories

The Harpers Awards is your opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for all the hard work you do. With a host of categories across the industry and the on- and off-trade, here's how you can get involved

Rolling update: Major retailers report mixed Xmas results, but wines still perform well