Business & Finance - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Fast-growing wine merchant Cru Wine celebrates 10th anniversary

Published: 05 June, 2023

London wine merchant and marketplace Cru Wine will commemorate its 10th vintage this month after a decade of impressive growth.

LWF continues post-Covid recovery with visitor increase

Published: 19 May, 2023

The London Wine Fair (LWF) organisers have given their verdict on a ‘successful’ 2023 show, which pulled in the visitors to above the 10,000 mark.

Government has “failed” the industry – now extend alcohol duty relief

Published: 16 May, 2023

Industry chiefs have expressed a modicum of optimism about potential changes to the current plans for the new duty escalator, which could possibly avoid plunging businesses into a tangle of red tape – if only the government continues (or maybe begins) to listen to reason.

Insatiable demand for En Primeur Burgundy and luxury Champagne may be weakening, suggests new report

Published: 03 May, 2023

A study published by investment firm WineCap has revealed several key trends that continue to shape the fine wine market in 2023, including a relatively lacklustre demand for 2021 Burgundy and expensive bubbly.

Majestic makes ‘biggest investment ever in pay’ for its staff

Published: 24 April, 2023

Majestic has made its biggest-ever investment in colleague pay to recognise the “expertise and experience” of store teams and shield its people from the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

Félix Solís Avantis trials QR codes and digital seals for UK exports

Published: 20 April, 2023

In a bid to reduce export times and mitigate “Brexit costs” Spanish wine company Félix Solís Avantis is trialling shipments using blockchain technology.

Fine wine remains relatively stable amidst economic uncertainty

Published: 14 April, 2023

In times of market turmoil, such as the 2008 financial crash, the coronavirus pandemic or the war in Ukraine, fine wine has proved itself to be an asset largely insensitive to macroeconomic uncertainty.

The Wine Society pledges to hold majority of its wine prices

Published: 13 April, 2023

In what has been described as, “an industry first”, online wine retailer The Wine Society has announced it will work with its members to prevent price increases.

Pacific trade pact overshadowed by domestic pressures, says WSTA

Published: 31 March, 2023

Confirmation that the UK has signed up to the Asia-Pacific trade pact will open new markets down the line for some in the drinks trade, but will offer little sustenance in the short term.

Rise and rise of inflation leaves business with difficult choices

Published: 24 March, 2023

UK industry has been left reeling once again following another inflation spike and subsequent interest rates hike, as the ever-increasing price of food and drink continues to stretch the nation’s purse strings as well as the cost of its collective shopping basket.

Prowein 2023: The Harpers rundown

Published: 22 March, 2023

Innovation, sustainability, organic wine and the ‘immediacy’ of embracing alternative formats were common threads which ran throughout this year’s Prowein, as the event descended once more for a predictably rainy yet bustling three days in Düsseldorf.

Fine wine favoured over gold during economic uncertainty

Published: 22 March, 2023

Amidst rising inflation and a looming recession, investors will be keen to diversify their portfolios to mitigate today’s uncertain economic landscape.

Budget misery for UK drinks trade

Published: 15 March, 2023

The trade is facing what has been dubbed a ‘double-pronged tax hike’ following the UK’s Spring Budget earlier this week (15 March), with the freeze on alcohol duty increases to end on 1 August 2023.

‘Super stealth tax’ looms via Spring Budget

Published: 14 March, 2023

Industry heads are warning that wine drinkers could face rocketing prices if the chancellor goes ahead with a double-pronged tax hike, likely to be announced at tomorrow’s Spring Budget.

Liv-ex records modest growth in fine wine trades despite overall slump

Published: 06 March, 2023

Fine wine ‘guru’ Liv-ex continues to present a picture of a global market in stagnation, albeit there was some positive movement in February 2023.

Pernod Ricard's H1 sales grow by 12%

Published: 16 February, 2023

Pernod Ricard, the world’s second-largest wine and spirits seller has announced a 12% increase in sales for H1 FY23.

December was worst month for UK restaurant closures in four years

Published: 14 February, 2023

UK restaurant company insolvencies in December of last year were the highest in at least four years says Mazars, the international audit, tax and advisory firm.

Pub and bar company insolvencies jump by 83% in past year to 512

Published: 13 February, 2023

Insolvencies of pub and bar companies have increased by 83% in the past year, from 280 in 2020/21 to 512, says UHY Hacker Young, the national accountancy group.

Scotland’s tidal wave of challenges

Published: 10 February, 2023

From the Deposit Return Scheme to a new consultation paper on restricting alcohol advertising, the Scottish drinks industry faces a barrage of problems. James Bayley reports.

Premium English sparkling wine producer, Gusbourne, reports significant sales growth in 2022

Published: 01 February, 2023

Gusbourne, the Kent and West Sussex-based premium sparkling wine producer, has reported significant sales increases in its unaudited trading update for the 12 months to 31 December 2022.