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The week that was

Published:  05 January, 2018

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.


Top Stories: It’s the first week of the New Year and the first week back for trade after we hope what was an enjoyable and also profitable end to 2017.

Early indications are that coffers were boosted over the all important festive trading period, with alcohol sales helping to bolster sales at the likes Aldi and many others –all the more reason for venues and retailers to invest in well thought-out drinks ranges in 2018.

January is a blank slate for many as consumers try out different drinking patterns or seek out alternatives, which should keep the trade on its toes this month.

Likewise, new beginnings are in store David White at for Accolade and also craft vodka and gin producer Durham Distillery which is about to start whisky production following £250,000 investment.

One of the sadder stories to reach the national press over the past two weeks was the tragic death of foodservice executive Richard Cousins.

Our story in memoriam paid tribute to Cousins and his family.  

 

Christmas win(e)s: Gin might be the big winner of Christmas 2017 when like for like sales rose by 45% in the week to December 23.

Data from IRI for the same period also showed a turnaround for declining wine sales, with still wine up 2.4% in terms of spend.

It may not all be plain sailing going to 2018, however. Signs show an uncertain year economically, politically and meteorologically in 2017 might catch up with us this year, with a possible fizz shortage on the cards.

 

Analysis and Insights: Looking to the future and tracking how producers are walking greener paths was on the agenda in our sustainability feature, while our article on urban logistics looked at how companies can streamline the woeful process of getting from A to B on our jammed-packed city streets.

We also took the measure of agents, aka the “10 percenters”, summing up the pros and cons of cutting out the middleman in today’s hard-nosed and incredibly competitive drinks trade.  


People and Opinion: 
This week’s meet the buyers interviews brought us to the doorstep of Bristol-based merchant Grape & Grind and north London’s Highbury Vintners.