News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Company news: adapting to a new ‘norm’

Published: 27 March, 2020

As drinks suppliers and retailers continue to fast adapt to the new trading landscape, we bring you a snapshot of just some of this week’s developments.

Friday Read: Updating organic viticulture for tomorrow's world

Published: 27 March, 2020

It was June 2011 when Dr Richard Smart first told a group of journalists that organic and biodynamic wines were damaging to the environment. Speaking at the 'Wineries for Climate Protection' conference that took place in Barcelona that year, his scathing criticism rapidly spread across the internet, much to the delight of my editors.

 WSTA and CEEV call for regulatory alignment post-Brexit

Published: 27 March, 2020

Wine trade bodies, the WSTA and CEEV have jointly urged the British government to maintain regulatory alignment on wine post-Brexit.

Best booze flicks for lockdown weekend

Published: 27 March, 2020

One week into lockdown, and you’ve exhausted all of Netflix ‘recommended for you’ offerings and are missing the world of wine. So why not kill two birds with one stone and stream a film about booze?

Support pours in for The Drinks Trust

Published: 27 March, 2020

Support for The Drinks Trust is pouring in from companies big and small with the latest batch of supporters including Pernod Ricard, English wine producer Fox & Fox and Whisky.Auction.

Chancellor matches staff wage subsidies for self-employed

Published: 26 March, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the government will cover the wages of self-employed workers up to £2,500 a month – matching what was offered to staff employees last week.

Ridgeview supports Hospitality Action

Published: 26 March, 2020

Ridgeview has pledged to support Hospitality Action via a new initiative that will see the Sussex winery donate £2 for every bottle of its sparkling wine sold online to the charity.

Wines from Spain annual tasting to be held late September

Published: 26 March, 2020

Wine from Spain has announced its postponed annual tasting will take place 29 September this year at Sky Garden.

Harpers 50 Best Indies 2020 – now open for nominations

Published: 25 March, 2020

We are once again launching our annual 50 Best Indies Awards, to recognise the best in the business of indie drinks retailing.

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.

Lawyers urge businesses to “read the fine print” over Job Retention Scheme

Published: 25 March, 2020

Legal advice has been issued to drinks businesses who are now looking to rely on the government’s promise to cover 80% of salaries (up to a limit of £2,500) a month to furloughed members of staff during the current coronavirus (Covid-19) health crisis.

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.

Off-licences added to ‘essential’ retail list

Published: 25 March, 2020

The government has added off-licences and licenced shops selling alcohol, including those within breweries, 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.

Majestic shuts down shops but continues delivery service

Published: 24 March, 2020

Majestic has temporarily closed its doors to the public following last night’s UK ‘lockdown’ announcement by the Prime Minister.

Premium drinking habits in the firing line amid economic shutdown

Published: 24 March, 2020

The ‘less but better’ mantra adopted by the trade over the past decade could be facing an existential threat, an industry expert has warned, as the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic hits the reset button on drinking habits.

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’.