Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Stock Spirits H1 sales hit by Polish duty hikes

Published: 28 August, 2014

Stock Spirits saw revenues fall by 10% to €137.7 million as a 15% hike in Polish excise duty hit consumption levels in the six months to June 30.

Scottish independence: whisky heavyweights say business case 'not made'

Published: 27 August, 2014

A host of the biggest names in Scotch whisky have signed an open letter warning that the business case for Scottish independence "has not been made".

Virgin Wines records best ever sales for July

Published: 27 August, 2014

Virgin Wines celebrated its best month in its 14-year history in July, as its web sales grew 22% year on year.

Grande Dame of wine trade Baroness Philippine de Rothschild dies

Published: 26 August, 2014

Leading light of the global wine trade Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, head of the Rothschild family dynasty, has died aged 80.

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 22 August, 2014

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

Pay increases on the rise as the economy improves says XpertHR

Published: 22 August, 2014

There are signs that an improving economy are finally being seen in pay packets and salary increases across the country, according to new research from pay specialists, XpertHR.

Treasury Wine Estates annual results show net loss of over AUD$100m for 2014

Published: 21 August, 2014

Treasury Wine Estates posted a net loss of AUD$100.9 million with net profits tanking, down by 33% for the year to June 30, 2014.

Farr Vintners buys Magnum Fine Wines

Published: 20 August, 2014

Farr Vintners has bought Magnum Fine Wines for an undisclosed sum as owner Alan Rayne has retired from the wine trade.

Diageo's incubator spirits firm doubles number of places for 2015 applicants

Published: 19 August, 2014

Angel investor firm Distill Ventures will double the number of places available in its accelerator programme that helps new and growing spirits entrepreneurs launch and expand their brands and businesses.

Tesco and Morrisons stocks rate of return declines by around 30%

Published: 19 August, 2014

Both Tesco (LSE:TSCO) and Morrisons (LSE: MRW) stocks rate of return have declined by nearly 30% over the past year, further signalling the challenges that middle priced grocery chains are facing in the supermarket price wars.

Constellation Brands to buy Casa Noble Tequila to grow spirits offering

Published: 18 August, 2014

Constellation Brands announced last week its plans to acquire the Casa Noble Holdings tequila brands

Most wine industry's challenges are no different to other sectors, says economist Mike Veseth

Published: 15 August, 2014

Mike Veseth, the celebrated US wine economist and blogger, has dismissed the idea that the dynamics of the wine industry are different to the challenges faced by other business sectors.

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 15 August, 2014

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

Bowmore and Glenmorangie both raise a dram to increased profits and sales

Published: 15 August, 2014

Morrison Bowmore Distillers, a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, and Glenmorangie Company, part of LVMH, both saw sales and profits grow last year, only further confirming the "hot" streak that whisky is currently having

Top Champagne brands buck decline as sales grow 9%

Published: 14 August, 2014

The top eight Champagne brands are bucking falling sales in the off-trade, as collective sales have grown by 9% in the last year.

Managed pubs and restaurants see 2.2% sales uplift in July

Published: 14 August, 2014

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William Grant & Sons invests in new global whisky innovation role

Published: 13 August, 2014

William Grant & Sons has promoted Kevin Abrook to become the company's first global whisky specialist for innovation and will start his new role on September 1.

Price wars and discounters hit overall retail sales

Published: 12 August, 2014

Retailer price wars coupled with the ongoing impact of the hard discounters saw overall UK retail sales slip back for the first time in two years, according to the latest British Retail Consortium /KPMG figures.

Harpers.co.uk introduces new dedicated finance section

Published: 11 August, 2014

Today Harpers.co.uk introduces a new section of the website that hopes to keep you up to speed with all the latest breaking financial stories affecting the global wine and spirits industry.

The Smith Report: Exchange rate is it a friend or foe?

Published: 11 August, 2014

The Smith Report takes a look at the opportunities for wine producers in South Africa, where its currency exchange has proven to be both its best friend and its worst enemy.