Business & Finance - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

St Austell Brewery agrees investment with Harbour Brewing Co

Published: 28 November, 2022

Cornwalls’ St Austell Brewery has taken a minority share in Harbour Brewing Co, a multi-award-winning Cornish brewery.

Champagne available in corporate boxes despite World Cup alcohol ban

Published: 18 November, 2022

FIFA has reversed its decision to sell alcohol at all eight World Cup stadiums in Qatar, just 48 hours before the tournament kicks off.

How the Drinks trade reacted to The Budget

Published: 17 November, 2022

In today’s Autumn Statement (17 November 2022), Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made a few announcements regarding business taxes, but there was no mention of alcohol duty, much to the frustration of the drinks trade.

Champagne trade share at all-time high according to Cult Wine Investment

Published: 16 November, 2022

Fine wine investment specialist Cult Wine has released its 2022 Champagne report and the investment potential “speaks for itself” according to the experts.

Costs crisis wipes out hospitality's growth despite an increase in October sales

Published: 16 November, 2022

October sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant, pub and bar groups were 1.5% ahead of the levels of October 2021, CGA has revealed.

Accolade agrees deal to sell Bristol bottling factory to Encirc

Published: 15 November, 2022

Encirc, a major glass manufacturer, has agreed a deal with Accolade Wines to purchase the assets of The Park, a bottling and warehousing facility in Bristol.

WSTA pens letter to Chancellor opposing alcohol duty u-turn

Published: 15 November, 2022

Over 100 business executives from across the alcohol industry have signed a letter written to the Times calling on the Chancellor to bring back the freeze on alcohol duty.

Alternative formats group publishes open letter to government

Published: 07 November, 2022

A group which advocates for the rapid use and adoption of alternative wine formats, has published an open letter from the industry to the government, calling for the introduction of consumer tax incentives for carbon-friendly alternative packaging.

Friday read: The big spending squeeze – are your brands ready?

Published: 28 October, 2022

Yvette Flower, strategic planner at ZEAL Creative, looks at the future of premium beer, wine and spirits sales, and how brands can insulate against the rising tide of inflation.

Not so merry and bright

Published: 27 October, 2022

Three-word slogans have bombarded the UK under the current government, from ‘Get Brexit Done’, to ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and, most recently, ‘Get Britain Moving’, which sounds more like an ad for a laxative than a treatment for the country’s overall ills. But now we’re getting ‘Winter of Disconnect’, courtesy of the press, which is summing up both how a majority of consumers feel not only about the three-hour blackouts that the National Grid is warning of over the coming season, but also how they feel about the government’s
approach to the economy.

Teetotal PM headed for No. 10

Published: 24 October, 2022

It’s likely that alcohol will play little to no role in the celebrations in the Sunak household this evening, as the UK prepares for a new – and perhaps its first ever teetotal Prime Minster – in Number 10.

Pernod Ricard announces double-digit growth in Q1

Published: 21 October, 2022

Pernod Ricard SA has reported significant growth in sales after raising prices amidst the travel retail bounceback.

Demand for super-premium wine and spirits heading for potential slump in US

Published: 19 October, 2022

A new report issued by Rabobank, the multinational banking and financial services company, has examined the potential for a looming US recession to shrink the hitherto booming market for luxury brands.

Duty freeze U-turn ‘extremely disappointing’, says WSTA

Published: 18 October, 2022

The scrapping of the freeze on alcohol duty rate rises by new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been condemned as counterproductive by the UK drinks trade.

WineCap reveals USD purchasing power against the pound

Published: 13 October, 2022

WineCap has released its Q3 report, which examines the trends that have shaped the fine wine market over the past three months.

Energy support extension revealed for businesses

Published: 12 October, 2022

The industry has welcomed the news that government will expand its help for businesses with their energy bills, with subsidies set to cover contracts going back to December 2021.

Affordable Burgundy leads the charge for fine wine

Published: 30 September, 2022

Burgundy emerged as the dominant force in fine wine investment for September, Winecap has revealed in the latest analysis of its fine wine index, Wine Track, as the region grows its reputation as the leading investment area for price performance on the secondary market.

Champagne outperforms gold during Covid

Published: 29 September, 2022

Globally, we may have not been swinging from the chandeliers much over the past two years. When it comes to the secondary market however, Champagne has undergone a period of intense transformation to become one of the most attractive propositions for fine wine investors.

Over the inflation cliff

Published: 09 September, 2022

Inflation is 2022’s pandemic. As we emerge from a health-focused crisis, it’s increasingly becoming clear that the health of the public purse and the damaging cost of living is now society’s most pressing issue. No sector is unaffected. From household items to commercial costs – largely driven by spiralling fuel and shipping increases – all are feeling the additional weight of rising costs, which even the biggest players aren’t able to absorb.