Conviviality Retail signs franchise deal for GT stores to push its c-store off-licence model

Conviviality Retail has signed a 10-year franchise agreement with award winning East Anglian-based convenience retailer, Jonathan James to run 35 franchise stores. 

Online and c-store shopping will drive global wine sales says ProWein and Wine Intelligence

Online and convenience shopping will be the two key channels that wine companies and prducers will have to target in the future in the major global wine markets, according to new research from ProWein and Wine Intelligence. 

Ex-Tesco director David Potts named as new Morrisons chief executive

Morrisons has named former Tesco director, David Potts, as its new chief executive following weeks of speculation of who would succeed Dalton Phillips who announced he was stepping down in January.

Restaurant and bar owners confident about future says news CGA Peach study

Up to 90% of pub, bar and restaurant owners are optimistic about their businesses in the year ahead despite ongoing concerns about staff costs and finding a niche in the market, according to latest research from CGA Peach.

March for Indies: 10 ways to boost sales and business through Twitter

Twittter is no longer just a way to communicate, keep in touch and build your audience, it can also really help to drive sales and bring new and existing customers to your business.

Matthew Clark brings in 30 new producers to meet market and customer demands

George Clooney hopes to make a star out of his Casamigos premium tequila in the UK

SITT tastings for independents come to Manchester and London

Independent wine merchants are flocking to Manchester's Old Trafford today for the start of the Specialist Independent Trade Tasting (SITT).

CAMRA claims cut in beer duty has saved over 1,000 pubs and created 26,000 jobs

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) is calling on the government to cut the beer duty for the third year in a row as a report out today highlights the boost scrapping the duty escalator in last year's Budget has given the industry.

March for Independents: Action Week 4 offers data and insights to help drive profits

As we enter the final Action Week of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on the market trends, insights and data that will help independent wine merchants ensure they have the rights wines and spirits on shelf at the right price.

Wine industry needs to rethink the way it uses video hears Google social media seminar

Wine businesses need to rethink use of online video to engage with consumers, a leading wine academic has said.

Byron and Browns come out top in new customer poll for best on-trade chains

If you want to sell your wines and spirits to the happiest of customers then you need to get on the lists at Byron, the premium burger chain, and Browns, according to new research from CGA Peach BrandTrack.

One week to go to enter the Harpers Awards 2015

The clock is ticking but there is still time to get your entries in for the Harpers Awards 2015.

Wine and spirits companies urged to tweet out their support for a Drop in Duty

Today Harpers is repeating its call to all wine and spirits producers around the globe that are frustrated by the high alcohol duty levels in the UK to put their name and voice behind the industry's Drop the Duty campaign and raise the issue with the Chancellor, George Osborne.

Rhone wine brand Les Dauphins expands to US

Rhône wine brand Les Dauphins will launch in over 40 US states this spring, marking the opening of its 25^th export market.

Australian Vintage pulls back from bulk to focus on branded wine in UK

Australian Vintage is pulling back from bulk wine sales in the UK to focus on its core branded range as prices sink.

Chile's Cono Sur extends Tour de France partnership

Concha y Toro's Cono Sur brand has signed up as official wine of the cycling race the Tour de France for the next three years.

March for Independents: new online and EU labelling regulations for merchants

There is a whole raft of legislation that retailers need to be on top to make sure they are on top what are termed as "distance sales", wine lawyer Andrew Park advises.   

Pernod Ricard shakes up Havana Club rum's look and recipe

March for Independents: keep on top of waste packaging and avoid big fines

Today as part of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on waste packaging. Not the most glamorous of topics but if you are an independent wine merchant, importing or distributing wine then you need to make sure you are compliant with your recycling oblilgations or risk potentially crippling fines.