Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Lucas Bols taps COLD's Michael Mann for UK brand ambassador role

Published: 30 November, 2016

Lucas Bols has appointed Michael Mann, formerly of the City of London Distillery, as its UK brand ambassador.

Customer satisfaction with Eileen Ginger of Whitbread Plc

Published: 29 November, 2016

Whitbread is the UK's largest hospitality group, with an annual turnover of £2.9 billion. Harpers spoke to wine, beer and cider buyer Eileen Ginger about the drinks offerings across the portfolio

Building a hospitality group: Big Red Teapot

Published: 29 November, 2016

Eight years after launching their first venture, Hamilton's Bar and Kitchen, Edinburgh-based hospitality group Big Red Teapot has just opened the doors to its fourth bar, The Voyage of Buck.

Can bullish optimism and higher average spend save wine from a Brexit bust?

Published: 28 November, 2016

With referendum result and the ensuring market turmoil, on top escalating overheads and competition from online/supermarkets threatening the off-trade, it's of little surprise that there's not much festive cheer on the high street at the moment.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 25 November, 2016

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

New British mead launch aims for on-trade

Published: 23 November, 2016

New start-up Crowded Hive has partnered with Denbies Wines Estate to launch a honey wine in the UK.

Bottled tea range targets luxury mixer market

Published: 23 November, 2016

Luxury tea company Benjamin & Blum has launched a range of bottled teas designed to pair with spirits.

Moët expands festive gift service into on-trade

Published: 22 November, 2016

Champagne house Moët & Chandon is set to expand its personalised gift service into the on-trade this Christmas.

Lambrusco tipped for revival in 2017

Published: 21 November, 2016

Italian sparkling wine Lambrusco looks set for a revival, according to reports in the national press.

Wine Rack: Bringing hybrid to the high street

Published: 18 November, 2016

Wine Rack is calling time on traditional high street retail with the roll-out of hybrid stores across its estate.

CAMRA calls for beer duty freeze at next budget to ease effect of economic uncertainty

Published: 16 November, 2016

The consumer organisation which campaigns for the health of the beer and pub sector is calling on the government to maintain a freeze in beer duty in the upcoming Autumn Statement and consider an additional cut in next year's budget.

On-trade: How to grow and expand your business

Published: 11 November, 2016

When Nathan Lee and Jason Mead were building their bar and restaurant group in Bristol, starting with Prohibition-style bar Hyde & Co in 2010, they received no shortage of advice on locations.

How wine is adapting to suit a new generation

Published: 07 November, 2016

With technology opening up new possibilities, the trade is finding new ways of not only engaging with younger consumers but making them part of their business models too.

Q&A: Xavier Rousset MS and Gearoid Devaney MS, Cabotte

Published: 04 November, 2016

Xavier Rousset MS and Gearoid Devaney MS, restaurateur and wine importer respectively, have opened a Burgundy oasis in the City, realising a long-held dream.

Argentinian specialist Gaucho launches online wine shop

Published: 03 November, 2016

Argentinian restaurant group Gaucho has become the latest outfit to offer its wines online.

On-trade deserves credit for reducing alcohol related harm, says trade body

Published: 01 November, 2016

The government needs to credit the on-trade for the efforts it has made in reducing alcohol related harm and consumption and not keep hammering an engine of economic growth, according to the Association of Licensed Retailers.

Does the new Costa coffee hybrid proposition pose a threat to bars and pubs?

Published: 28 October, 2016

In October 2016, Costa became the latest major UK coffee chain to offer its customers two hits instead of one: caffeine and alcohol all under one roof.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 28 October, 2016

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Jack Daniel's unveils Scottish bartender competition

Published: 25 October, 2016

Iconic Tennessee whisky brand Jack Daniel's has launched a nationwide bartending competition across Scotland.

On-trade update: Premium driving growth

Published: 21 October, 2016

The figures all indicate that the total on-trade Great Britain wine market is continuing to shrink, albeit at a slower pace. The total GB on-trade is made up of over 124,000 outlets, with volume sales down 2.5% and value sales down 0.5%.