News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bird In Hand Wine appoints Sam Harrop MW

Published: 11 August, 2023

Top Aussie estate Bird In Hand has added a string to its feathery bow via the appointment of Sam Harrop MW, in the role of consultant winemaker.

Codorníu taps into crémant sparkle

Published: 11 August, 2023

Leading Spanish cava producer Codorníu has launched a new Gran Cremant Brut Cava, initially into the Co-op.

Duty hikes: Details of government consultation revealed

Published: 11 August, 2023

The alcohol duty hikes on 1 August 2023 were the biggest the UK has seen in nearly fifty years and the changes will impact all wines across the country.

Majestic partners with Uber Eats

Published: 10 August, 2023

In a significant endorsement for alcohol delivery sales, Majestic, the UK’s number one wine retailer has partnered with Uber Eats.

Bibendum appoints Valeria Rodriguez as head of Fine Wine

Published: 10 August, 2023

Bibendum Wine, the premium wine specialist, has appointed Valeria Rodriguez as head of its Fine Wine division.

Mangrove expands spirits team following French buyout

Published: 10 August, 2023

Mangrove Global, the independent spirits distributor, has expanded its marketing team and collective expertise by appointing four new spirits specialists. The expansion of ‘team purple’ comes soon after Mangrove was bought by French conglomerate, Groupe Bernard Hayot (GBH), bringing it into the fold of the SPIRIBAM portfolio.

Lipstick effect brightens up sales of alcohol – until reality (duty) bites?

Published: 09 August, 2023

Economic depression tends to lead consumers to splash out on little luxuries. This is the idea behind the ‘lipstick effect’, coined by Estée Lauder’s Leonard Lauder to describe the rocketing rise of lipsticks in 2008, post the 9/11 attacks in New York and while global markets teetered on the brink of financial meltdown. By extension – and with the cost of living and wage stagnation pushing prices higher – alcohol still seems to fall within a comparatively ‘affordable luxury’ bracket.

Majestic to expand at a rate of ‘one new store per month’

Published: 09 August, 2023

Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has opened the doors to its newest store in Rugby as it accelerates its bricks-and-mortar expansion.

Stamp scheme generates £32k for Cardiff indies

Published: 09 August, 2023

Since its launch just over a year ago, the Cardiff Wine Passport has generated more than £32,000 in revenue for independent restaurants and bars in Cardiff.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Deborah Brooks, Boutinot

Published: 09 August, 2023

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Deborah Brooks, head of marketing at Manchester-based supplier Boutinot, to find out how the year has gone so far, and what the remainder may bring.

Punch Pubs & Co and Beam Suntory join Portman Group as associate members

Published: 08 August, 2023

The Portman Group, the alcohol regulator and social responsibility body, has announced today (8 August) that Punch Pubs & Co and Beam Suntory have joined as associate members.

Spain targets UK with inaugural summit

Published: 08 August, 2023

In a bid to boost trade relations between Spain and the UK, Foods and Wines from Spain (FWS), will host a brand new event in central London, to promote the quality food and wine Spain has to offer.

Nick Gillett: How the duty rise reveals the lack of duty to business

Published: 08 August, 2023

It doesn’t seem to matter what flavour of government you have at the moment – when it comes to the spirits and hospitality industries, there’s a stench of incompetence. In Scotland we have the incredibly public failure of the DRS scheme, which, as a result, has wasted millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. But don’t be fooled – it really is no better, south of the border. Westminster will raise you a cock up, in the form of the increased duty rates.

Pub closures surge again in Q2 breaking Q1 record

Published: 07 August, 2023

Pub closures reached back-to-back quarterly records in Q2 2023, smashing the previous unwanted benchmark set in Q1.

Royal Tokaji eyeing ‘potential for growth’ as Essencia 2016 unveiled in UK

Published: 07 August, 2023

Sweet wines may be less in vogue these days in many mature western markets, but the uniqueness of Tokaji – and especially its flagship Aszú wines – are bucking that trend.

UK chains enjoy profit increase

Published: 07 August, 2023

According to research from UHY Hacker Young, the UK’s Top 100 restaurant groups have recorded a twelvefold increase in their profits in the last six months, rising from £19.9m in September 2022 to £241.8m in March 2023.

SITT Alentejo ‘Spotlight’ confirmed

Published: 07 August, 2023

SITT Autumn, the trade event for specialist importers and independent buyers, will host 12 tables dedicated to Wines of Alentejo.

‘Most buyer-friendly Champagne market in recent memory’ says Cult Wine

Published: 07 August, 2023

Cult Wine, the fine wine investment platform, believes the ‘slow-down’ of high-end vintage Champagne prices might provide an opportunity for potential investors in the coming months.

Amber Beverage UK merges with Indie Brands

Published: 04 August, 2023

Amber Beverage UK (ABUK), the distributor for up-and-coming spirits brands, has merged with drinks marketing company Indie Brands.

Over the line on duty

Published: 04 August, 2023

So, the deadline has come and gone – and despite an avalanche of criticism, including a letter sent by Hennings Wine owner Matt Hennings to his local MP in June, begging the government to wake up and smell the bonfire, the trade is now facing increases to the tune of 20% or 44p per 75cl bottle.