Diageo increases bid to close United Spirits deal

Diageo, which already owns 28.8% of India's United Spirits, has made a $1.9 billion bid to acquire an additional 26% share of the company.

Brown-Forman may acquire Whyte & Mackay, not Rémy Cointreau

Last week Rémy Cointreau' stocks spiked on speculation that Brown-Forman was a possible interested buyer, however reports have surfaced that Brown-Forman is a possible bidder for the Whyte & Mackay business which is currently up for sale.

?The Smith Report: Could deflation let the air out of wine purchases?

Erin Smith looks at how deflation could have an impact on the wine and spirit world.

Naked Wines' bond-funded fine wine is ready

Diageo shakes up global management team

Diageo's chief executive Ivan Menezes has made changes to the company's global management team with a major focus on emerging markets.

Pernod Ricard reports disappointing Chinese New Year sales

Pernod Ricard reports that there has been no improvements in sales following the Lunar New Year celebrations in China, which is traditionally the busiest sales period of the year for drinks companies, warning that China could remain sluggish until 2015 at the earliest.

?Shareholders approve Suntory acquisition of Jim Beam for US$16 billion

Beam shareholders have approved the acquisition by Suntory Holdings of Japan at the share-selling price of US$83.50 per share, putting the sale value at US$16bn.

UK wine industry is not on same footing as beer, cider and whisky, says Wilson Drinks Report

The UK wine industry is unlikely to receive the same kind of duty cuts awarded to the beer, cider and Scotch whisky industries in this week's Budget as most of the wine drunk in this country is imported.

Budget 2014: Younger consumers look to boost own finances

In the wake of yesterday's Budget, which targeted pensioners and savers, research shows the younger generation is taking proactive measures to boost its finances.

Alcohol duty escalator scrapped in Budget

The alcohol duty escalator has been scrapped, while duty on spirits has been frozen and beer duty has been cut by 1p per pint.

Scrapping duty escalator will benefit wine and spirits trade by £175m

Scrapping the duty escalator and freezing spirits duty will boost the wine and spirits trade to the tune of £175 million, says the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Scrapping duty escalator could be bad news for suppliers warns Robin Copestick

Robin Copestick, co-founder of UK wine agency Copestick Murray, has sounded a warning shot about the Chancellor's decision to scrap the duty escalator in today's Budget and fears suppliers will be forced to take on the costs of inflationary duty increases rather than the higher costs under the escalator that were easier to pass on to consumers.

Budget 2014 Live Updates: Trade celebrates the end of duty escalator

The trade has united to welcome Chancellor George Osborne's announcement that he is ending the duty escalator for alcohol and freezing spirits duty.

Drinks trade nervously anticipates Budget

As time runs out before the 2014 Budget is announced later today, the drinks trade nervously shuffles its papers following a hard-fought campaign to scrap the duty escalator.

Spain must plant more international grape varieties, says Rabobank

Spain should plant more international varieties and bill Tempranillo as its signature grape, if it is to combat oversupply issues and compete globally, says a Rabobank report.

Public poll gives overwhelming support to cuts in duty in this week's Budget

Only 3% of the British public think alcoholic drinks are not too expensive in pubs and restaurants and unless more is done to cut duty levels they are likely to spend more time drinking at home.

Countdown to Budget: pubs more reliant on wine and spirits sales says CGA study

Pubs are becoming increasingly reliant on wine and spirit sales, according to new figures released today by on-trade specialists, CGA Strategy.

Wine and spirits industry in one last push to halt duty escalator in next week's Budget

The wine and spirits trade is readying itself for one last push to convince the Chancellor to scrap the alcohol duty escalator in next week's Budget following intensive campaigning across the industry.

Budget Day is coming soon!

The lead up to the Budget Day begins. Keep up to date here on Harpers.co.uk with our news updates, blogs and live posts on the day - March 19th!

The Smith Report: Why building strong brands is critical when your currency is weak

Erin Smith looks at how Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have coped with poor exchange rates