Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA launches weekly coronavirus webinar

Published: 25 March, 2020

The WSTA has announced it is launching a weekly webinar series on coronavirus (Covid-19) and the impact on the world of wines and spirits.

Majestic shops to stay temporarily closed

Published: 25 March, 2020

Majestic has announced its shops are to remain temporarily closed despite the government having added off-licenses to its list of ‘essential’ businesses.

CyT urges ‘big players’ to support Drinks Trust coronavirus campaign

Published: 25 March, 2020

Concha y Toro (CyT) has urged ‘larger’ drinks companies to support The Drinks Trust’s coronavirus (Covid-19) campaign launched last Thursday by the drinks charity.

WSTA ‘assumes' duty payments due today (25 March)

Published: 25 March, 2020

The WSTA, which has relentlessly called on the Chancellor to suspend duty payments, last night said it assumed the payments would be due today (25 March) with no formal response from the Treasury to suggest otherwise.

The Wine Society temporarily closes

Published: 24 March, 2020

The Wine Society has taken the decision to stop taking new orders and also to stop making deliveries with immediate effect.

Bacardi launches $3m on-trade support initiative

Published: 24 March, 2020

Bacardi has pledged $3m to support bars and restaurants around the world debilitated by the coronavirus shutdown.

Government clarifies ‘lockdown’ on and off-trade measures

Published: 24 March, 2020

The government has clarified the measures required to be taken by both the on and off-trade following the announcement last night of a three-week nationwide UK ‘lockdown’.

Drinks companies join forces to plea for duty suspension

Published: 23 March, 2020

An initial 32 drinks companies (all WSTA members) have joined forces to plea for a cash lifeline, calling collectively on the Chancellor to suspend duty.

Hospitality industry reiterates urgency of lease forfeiture moratorium

Published: 23 March, 2020

The hospitality industry has reiterated the urgency of the implementation of a six-month lease forfeiture moratorium for commercial businesses to prevent landlords taking control of premises in the event of non-payment of rents.

Daniel Lambert announces closure and calls on other agents to follow suit

Published: 23 March, 2020

Daniel Lambert Wines has become one of the first wine agents to announce it will be closing down due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

Diageo GB funds drinks information line

Published: 22 March, 2020

Diageo has today launched an information phone line that will be available to support licensed business owners who want to access the commercial measures announced by the government.

On-trade sales drop 15% in week before ‘warning’

Published: 20 March, 2020

On-trade sales declined 15% in the week up to 15 March, before the Prime Minister’s warning that the public should avoid going to pubs, clubs and social venues because of the growing coronavirus (Covid-19) threat.

LWC makes temporary switch to B2C model in reaction to coronavirus

Published: 19 March, 2020

LWC Drinks has announced it will be temporarily switching to a Business to Consumer (B2C) model, with the hospitality trade-focused business now accepting consumer orders to maintain business continuity during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The Drinks Trust launches Covid-19 fundraising and support campaign

Published: 19 March, 2020

The Drinks Trust, formerly The Benevolent, has launched a campaign to support the individuals of the industry through the weeks ahead, and also to fundraise to help deliver that support.

Majestic reassures over stock after big spike in demand for EU wines

Published: 17 March, 2020

Majestic Wine has realised a statement saying “shelves will stay stacked with wine” after customer stockpiling drove dramatic increases in demand for wines over the weekend.

Coronavirus: Drinks trade disruption deepens as more events cancelled or postponed

Published: 16 March, 2020

As central banks around the world coordinate to fight the economic impact of coronavirus (Covid-19), the drinks trade is already feeling the impact of the crisis, with the postponement of events being the most visible effect.

Budget: Coronavirus relief for SMEs and employees

Published: 11 March, 2020

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a bold response to the coronavirus crisis in his 11 March budget, with a raft of measures to support SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and their employees.

Wine Intelligence predicts 15% ‘Covid-19' hole in on-trade sales

Published: 11 March, 2020

Wine Intelligence has predicted that UK on-trade premises are likely to see a hole in revenues to the tune of around 15% as a result of Covid-19.

LWF teams up with Chiswick Auctions to raise ‘big bucks’ for The Benevolent

Published: 10 March, 2020

London Wine Fair (LWF) has joined forces with Chiswick Auctions to host a live auction on-site at this year’s fair, with part of the proceeds donated to The Benevolent.

Spiritual home of Rioja producers hit by coronavirus

Published: 09 March, 2020

Haro, the spiritual home of quality Rioja producers, has been hit by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak as residents of the town in the heart of the wine region are told to stay at home.