Teetotal for a year: why waking up to low and no is the trade's biggest challenge

The driest month of the year is almost over. But as the trend for drinking less but better – or not at all – continues into 2019, many consumers will be planning to moderate well into February and beyond. Changing drinking habits is something we can no longer ignore, says Hugh Jones, former prestige sale manager at Mentzendorff and now head of sales at Lucky Saint, which produces a 0.5% beer. Reporting for Harpers, Jones explains why he has vowed to go teetotal for a year with the aim of exploring what trade needs to do to stay relevant – while also making the most of the opportunities in the ever-evolving drinks industry.

Neil Anderson's Key Trends for 2019

Kingsland Drinks’ marketing director Neil Anderson gives his view on eight trends that will impact the wine industry through the coming year

The Goring to launch seafood restaurant

THE GORING

There may be trouble ahead…

The number of leaders with confidence in the future of their own company within the eating and drinking-out market took a knock in the three months to November 2018, according to the latest CGA Business Confidence Survey.

Camillo Benso touches down in Mayfair

CAMILLO BENSO

Former Artesian double act launch Tayēr + Elementary

TAYĒR + ELEMENTARY

Looking ahead: Stephen Finch, Vagabond Wines

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses looked to make the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Waitrose predicts key drinks trends for 2019

Mezcal, canned and Greek wine are among the top drinks trends set to dominate the industry this year, according to Waitrose.

Q&A: Xavier Rousset, restaurateur and master sommelier, Trade

Xavier Rousset talks to Harpers about Trade, a new Soho-based private members’ club for the restaurant and bar world

New dawn for on-trade training

It’s been a good year for education in the on-trade, with a number of new initiatives being launched in the UK recently.

Q&A: Robert Cooke, beers, wines & spirits director, Tesco

Buoyed by October’s encouraging interim results, Tesco is heading into the festive season with a hand in the on-trade for the first time, thanks to its merger with cash-and-carry group Booker. Jo Gilbert speaks to BWS director Robert Cooke about what the deal means for alcoholic drinks sales at the UK’s biggest grocer

Proof Drinks appoints former Hi-Spirits chairman as MD

Drinks brand owner and distributor Proof Drinks is gearing up for the next phase of its growth as the company confirms the appointment of Jeremy Hill as managing director.

Demand for craft spirits in the US shows no sign of slowing

The appetite for craft spirits in the United States - arguably the nation behind the boom in craft drinks worldwide - still packs a major punch new research suggests. 

Reaching the last mile

Fulfilling those “last mile” orders is expensive – especially for small businesses, but there are innovations that could help businesses better reach their local customer base.

Trade must embrace consumer trends to capitalise on summer growth

Kingsland Drinks has called for the trade to do more to tap into the modest value growth in sales witnessed over the summer, with innovation and new formats key to winning over new drinkers in the wine category.

Borough Wines teams up with Burmese resturant Lahpet

Amathus Drinks to distribute Champagne Duval-Leroy

Amathus Drinks has announced a new partnership with Vertus producer Champagne Duval-Leroy.

Conviviality breakup likely as £125m fundraiser fails

Conviviality Plc has failed to raise the £125 million needed to recapitalise the business following a tumultuous month which saw three profit warnings, its market value tumble, shares suspended and the departure of CEO Diana Hunter.

Guy Woodward: My 10 New Year’s resolutions

1. DRINK WHEN I WANT

LWF reveals spotlight on UK drinks

The London Wine Fair is making moves to champion home-grown and produced drinks with a new Drinks Britannia section.