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WSTA calls on Chancellor to cut duty in spring budget

Published:  25 January, 2024

Faced with falling wine and spirit sales and subsequent diminishing revenues to the Exchequer, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called upon the Chancellor to reduce duty on the sector in the 6 March Spring budget.

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Inflation survey: squeezed in the middle

Published:  13 January, 2023

With inflationary pressures bearing down and the cost of living crisis biting, Harpers invited indies to respond to our Dealing with Price Inflation survey, to build a picture of how merchants are coping and what increases are being introduced. Andrew Catchpole rounds up the feedback.

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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.

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Northern Ireland retailers welcome business rates announcement

Published:  17 February, 2022

Independent retailers in Northern Ireland have cautiously welcomed the announcement that non-domestic rates are to be frozen for the next financial year and that businesses will still receive a three-month rates holiday.

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Berry Bros. & Rudd releases Christmas trading results

Published:  12 January, 2022

Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR) has unveiled its fourth quarter financial data for 2021, showing a notable surge in online sales and a burgeoning consumer demand for sparkling wine brands.

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Beale: 'The threat of VI-1 forms is still very real’

Published:  28 October, 2020

The WSTA has warned that the threat of VI-1 forms is still "very real", saying that the policy, not just the timing, still needs to change.

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Edrington reveals rise in sales and profits

Published:  20 June, 2019

Edrington has reported a 9% increase in core revenue and a 4% rise in profits for the year ending 31 March 2019.

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Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published:  28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

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Millions of litres of Spanish wine being passed off as French by Gallic trade

Published:  10 July, 2018

French wine drinkers are a patriotic lot, so many will have been in for a serious shock to discover that their favourite glass of vin may well have made the trip north from Spain’s sunnier climes.

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Naked Wines boosts Majestic half year performance

Published:  23 November, 2017

Majestic Wine said it is ready to “put our foot on the gas and accelerate growth” on unveiling its half year results today.

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Industry calls on Chancellor for duty help

Published:  13 November, 2017

Trade associations have called on Chancellor Philip Hammond not to increase duty rates for the second time in a year.

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Conviviality offensive continues as sales rise across business units

Published:  07 November, 2017

Conviviality continues to demonstrate its buying and selling power via its half-year trading update, which shows positive growth in each of its three newly configured business units.

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Brexit: Clarity versus chaos

Published:  11 October, 2017

At the recent WSTA Conference the trade called for greater clarity over a potential Brexit deal. Andrew Catchpole reports

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Tesco resumes dividends following 7th consecutive quarter of growth

Published:  04 October, 2017

Tesco has offered up the firmest confirmation yet of its turnaround since the business was rocked by an infamous accounting scandal three years ago.

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BI and Michael Spencer acquire 25% stake in Battersea’s Gilpin’s gin

Published:  28 September, 2017

Fine wine and rare spirits merchant BI, and its chairman, Michael Spencer, have acquired a joint 25% stake in Westmorland Spirits, the owner of London-based premium gin brand, Gilpin’s.

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Retail wine sales hit six-year high as Brexit pushes up prices

Published:  13 September, 2017

Sales of still wine in the off-trade saw record value growth in the last quarter new figures show, as well as the largest increase in average prices since April 2014.

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Strong FY17 results boosts acceleration at Pernod

Published:  31 August, 2017

Pernod Ricard, the world number two in spirits, has forecasted accelerated net profits for the current financial year thanks to a strong performance in 2016/2017.

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Back in fashion liqueurs boost sales for Gruppo Campari

Published:  04 August, 2017

The owner of Aperol Spritz posted solid results in the first half of 2017 in the UK where strong sales of the orange-based liqueur boosted the bottom line.

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WSTA urges Government clarity to prevent Brexit chaos for businesses

Published:  03 August, 2017

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s chief executive Miles Beale has flagged up the “deep seated” concerns of drinks industry leaders over the Government’s apparent lack of clear strategy over Brexit.

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Diageo follows-up strong interim results with 25% rise in operating profit

Published:  27 July, 2017

Diageo continues to accelerate in the fast lane by growing market share in both the on and off-trades in the UK over the past year.

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