Survey: what are the biggest issues facing the drinks trade

As the trade prepares for the biggest event on the UK drinks calendar ? London International Wine Fair ? Harpers wants you to have your say on the biggest issues facing the industry.

Tesco's Dan Jago leads line-up for Harpers Debate at LIWF

Dan Jago at Tesco, Chris Mason at First Drinks and Simon Thomas at Pernod Ricard are three of the leading figures from across the drinks industry who will look at the main challenges facing the industry as part of the Harpers Debate at the London International Wine Fair on May 18.

Virgin announces National Wine Month offers

Virgin Wines has announced it is to offer its customers a fortnight of special wine offers as part of National Wine Month.

Bowmore releases limited edition, 1982

Bowmore, has released the second in its vintage series, the limited edition, Bowmore 1982.

Sterling recovers from 13-month low

Sterling recovered from a 13-month low against the euro on Thursday after European Central Bank President Jean- Claude Trichet signalled interest-rate increases may be delayed.

Emma Nichols head of wine buying at Whittalls

Emma Nichols has been appointed as head of buying at Whittalls Wine Merchants ? which bought 37 Oddbins stores out of administration last week.

Baile to secure Oddbins sites by next week

Simon Baile will have secured between five and seven Oddbins stores by the end of next week, but "regrettably" not the Oddbins name, according to his financial backers.

Top merchants seminar on the do's and don'ts of expanding your business

The highs and lows of expanding your business by taking on more stores will be the topic of the next Top Merchants day to be held on June 8 at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy.

Trade gets behind National Wine Month

The wine trade has pulled out all the stops in support of National Wine Month ? between offering courses and wine consultations online, and opportunities for consumers to meet winemakers.

Diageo's Q3 sales up 7%

Diageo's net sales have grown 7% in the quarter ending March 31, with sales up 5% compared to the same nine months of the previous year.

SWA wins first case under 2009 Scotch whisky regulations

Q3 sales up 5% at Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard has posted a third quarter sales increase of 5%, thanks to strong growth in emerging markets and premium brands and a 2% recovery in more mature markets. 

Drop in house prices and poor manufacturing figures affect sterling

Sterling fell to a new 13 month low against the euro yesterday as UK construction data added to Tuesday's poor manufacturing figures and exacerbated sterling's fall.

Copestick Murray expands Down Under

Wine broker Copestick Murray has opened an office in Adelaide to oversee wine sourcing from Australia and New Zealand, and potential winery and vineyard purchases there.

UK wine production figures at record high

The UK wine industry has announced production figures for the 2010 harvest are the highest on record.

Industry heads lead Conversation Society 'drinks responsibility' talk

Industry heads will lead the The Conversation Society talk on the subject; 'is the UK drinks industry entering a new era of responsibility?'

Hatch Mansfield awarded BSI environmental certificate

Hatch Mansfield is believed to be the first wine agency in the business to achieve British Standard Institute BSI, environmental certification.

Sterling plummets due to weak UK manufacturing data

Sterling plummeted against both the euro and US dollar yesterday after a weak reading of UK manufacturing data left investors pushing back expectations of an interest rate hike.

Bank holiday causes sterling to slip

Sterling fell against the euro on Friday and slipped against the US dollar as thin trading over the UK bank holiday triggered relatively large movements in the sterling exchange rate.

Lanson to sponsor AFWS, Hall of Fame restaurant manager

Lanson International is to sponsor the Academy of Food and Wine Service's (AFWS) Restaurant Manager Hall of Fame.