Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Shifting sales

Published: 29 November, 2021

With ‘shop local’ boosting convenience stores and premium on the rise, Angela Mount rounds up the changes wrought on and by the multiple retail sector.

Rueda campaign to underpin export growth

Published: 03 November, 2021

Spain’s leading white wine export has continued its upward trajectory, with DO Rueda reporting a 15% upswing in 2020.

Online retail BWS sales continue to buck downward trend

Published: 18 October, 2021

Online retail sales of beers, wine and spirits (BWS) remain strong, increasing by 18.6% in September 2021, bucking the downward trend of overall retail sales, according to latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index, which tracks the online sales performance of over 200 retailers.

Coravin opens first pop-up wine bar and retail outlet

Published: 14 October, 2021

Coravin, the wine preservation system, is to open its very first pop-up wine bar and retail outlet in London.

Cave Cuvée goes live in Bethnal Green

Published: 30 September, 2021

Shop Cuvée and Cave Cuvée

UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021: The Top 10

Published: 09 September, 2021

Welcome to the final release instalment of our UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021, featuring the chart-topping Top 10, along with all of those that have made it into the ranking this year.

Online BWS sales buck downward trend

Published: 08 September, 2021

New data has revealed that turnover from UK online retail slumped in the month of August, with three notable exceptions.

UK helps boost sales recovery at Pernod Ricard

Published: 01 September, 2021

Pernod Ricard, producer of Campo Viejo and Absolut has announced a “dynamic rebound” of sales in Europe following a tough 2020, with the UK, Germany and Eastern Europe offsetting declines in Spain, Ireland and Travel Retail.

Q&A: Tom Jones, Whalley Wine Shop and Whalley Wine Bar

Published: 17 August, 2021

Deciding to open a wine bar next to Whalley Wine Shop during a pandemic seemed like the obvious move for owner Tom Jones, founder and MD, who fills Andrew Catchpole in on why he’s made this leap of faith.

Majestic heads North for the first time in almost a decade

Published: 12 July, 2021

Majestic Wine has put an end to almost decade-long hiatus in investment in the north of England with a new store opening in the historic market town of Knutsford.

Retail gin sales hit all time high

Published: 10 June, 2021

Sales of gin in the retail sector have continued to soar during the pandemic, up 30% over the past 12 months.

Waitrose unveils mixed English wine case

Published: 26 May, 2021

Waitrose has launched a new mixed wine case comprising a selection of homegrown wines.

Inverarity Morton enters retail with Bonnie & Wild bottle shop

Published: 13 May, 2021

Leading Scottish independent drink distributor Inverarity Morton has announced it will launch its first retail venture as part of the ambitious new Bonnie & Wild Food Hall due to open in Edinburgh next month.

Digital strategies and synergies continue to rise in importance as businesses physically reopen

Published: 13 May, 2021

Online services continue to grow in importance, key sources have highlighted this week, as online retail sales continue to strengthen despite physical stores reopening, and as digital strategies and e-booking becomes more important than ever for bars and restaurants re-launching to demob-happy crowds.

Scottish drinks industry calls for balanced approach to alcohol policy

Published: 29 March, 2021

The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), an alliance of Scotland’s distillers, brewers, hospitality and retail businesses, has called for Scottish Parliamentary candidates to commit to a balanced approach to alcohol policy.

Champagne: A rollercoaster year

Published: 25 March, 2021

David Kermode takes the measure of Champagne, which managed to add some sparkle to its sales in 2020 despite the loss of celebratory drinking occasions.

Independents: Supercharging the entry-level offer

Published: 11 March, 2021

Most independent merchants understandably shy away from the term ‘entry level’, preferring to focus attention on quality and individuality across all levels of wine.

Extension to rent moratorium considered as momentum for UK re-opening builds

Published: 15 February, 2021

Ministers are reportedly drawing up plans to extend the rent moratorium for commercial properties until past the March end date, further curbing landlords’ ability to evict businesses over unpaid rent.