Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Capturing the impulse purchaser

Published: 20 September, 2018

"Online sales are motoring ahead, while bricks and mortar stores struggle to withstand the domino effect taking down traditional retail.”

No deal Brexit “not acceptable” for drinks trade

Published: 19 September, 2018

Brexit is the “most significant” short-term challenge facing the wine sector, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) told delegates at its conference yesterday (18 September).

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why we should pay attention to Adrian Chiles

Published: 13 September, 2018

Adrian Chiles’ engaging documentary ‘Drinkers like Me’, broadcast on August 27th on BBC2, probably did more to encourage UK consumers to think about how much they are drinking, and why, than any number of initiatives by Drinkaware or the rigid strait jackets imposed by the Portman Group.

UK one of the most “mature” markets for alcohol online, despite accounting for less than 10% of sales

Published: 05 September, 2018

The UK is at the forefront of selling wine online thanks to well-established specialist wine retailers such as Majestic and The Wine Society, new research has revealed.

Gaucho is a casualty of shifting social mores, say analysts

Published: 16 August, 2018

Healthy eating trends could be contributing to the demise of the casual dining sector as we know it, new research has boldly stated, while calling on the alcohol sector to be a force for change.

Black Tower follows up healthy drinking trends with new 0.5% abv range

Published: 25 July, 2018

Black Tower is expanding its low alcohol offering in a bid to boost its appeal to health-conscious millennials at Christmas.

Low alcohol wine still losing out to mocktails and beer

Published: 12 July, 2018

We know that consumers are more health conscious than ever before, with sustainably sourced avocado on toast becoming the zeitgeist for a generation which is also increasingly moderating its alcohol consumption.

Wine and spirits bring £67m boost to Treasury coffers

Published: 14 June, 2018

The freeze on alcohol duty at last November’s Budget has given the Treasury a £67 million boost in just four months.

Cannabis ‘the big green elephant in the room’ for drinks sector claims report

Published: 05 June, 2018

The global alcoholic drinks industry is facing a moment of reckoning as cannabis laws across the world continue to be relaxed.

Jerry Lockspeiser: It’s time to treat drinkers like adults

Published: 28 March, 2018

What have Kevin the Carrot, a wine called Sex, and Anything But Chardonnay got in common? Answer: They’ve all been banned.

Call for greater clarity on low and no alcohol labelling reaches House of Commons

Published: 07 March, 2018

MPs are gathering in the House of Commons today to tackle the “confusing” labelling of low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks.

SWA secures GI protection for Scotch Whisky in New Zealand

Published: 28 February, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has secured Geographical Indications (GI) protection for the spirit in New Zealand.

A changing winescape

Published: 26 January, 2018

New Kingsland WinePro research shared exclusively with Harpers identifies a need for innovation

How low can you go?

Published: 22 January, 2018

Low- or no-alcohol products are no longer resigned to Dry January. Jo Gilbert reports on how waistband- and hangover-friendly alternatives are fast becoming one of 2018’s top trends

The Benevolent reveals mental health campaign

Published: 16 January, 2018

The Benevolent has launched a mental health awareness campaign to encourage the trade to create a ‘stigma-free’ environment within the workplace.

Underage drinking hits historic low as trade initiatives deliver

Published: 18 December, 2017

The number of young people aged between 8 to 15 years old drinking alcohol is at a record low, a new survey by NHS Digital has revealed.

Schaafsma says major Oz distribution deal makes Broadland "relevant" for the future

Published: 11 December, 2017

Broadland Wineries is aiming to become a one-stop shop for antipodean wines thanks to a new major distribution deal which will see them partner with Australia’s biggest bulk wine supplier.

Scotland sets date for minimum unit pricing

Published: 22 November, 2017

Scotland intends to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol on 1 May 2018 at 50p per unit.

Supreme Court clears path for 50p-per-unit minimum pricing in Scotland

Published: 15 November, 2017

Scotland is set to become the first country to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol after the UK Supreme Court rejected a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Hammer to fall on Scottish minimum pricing

Published: 14 November, 2017

A landmark ruling in the long-running battle over minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland will be made on Wednesday morning (15 November) by the UK Supreme Court.