Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WHO report highlights global alcohol consumption impact

Published: 26 June, 2024

A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that alcohol consumption was responsible for 2.6 million deaths worldwide in 2019.

Pavement licences introduced during Covid will be made permanent next year

Published: 25 July, 2022

Temporary changes brought in to help the hospitality industry during Covid will be extended until Spring 2023 before being made permanent.

1,406 UK restaurants go under in just 12 months

Published: 25 July, 2022

UK restaurant insolvencies have jumped 64% from 856 in 2020/21 to 1,406 in the past year as rising inflation and labour shortages drive restaurants out of business.

Delivery slips as consumers return to eating out

Published: 26 April, 2022

Britain’s managed restaurant and pub groups’ delivery and takeaway sales remain more than double pre-Covid-19 levels – but trading has dipped year-on-year as consumers resume their out-of-home eating habits.

Sadiq Khan proposes £10m tourism boost for London on-trade

Published: 17 February, 2022

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today announced proposals to invest an additional £10m to attract more tourists back to the capital – including launching a new international tourism campaign.

Restaurant January sales up on pre-Covid as restrictions ease

Published: 15 February, 2022

Rising consumer confidence about safety and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions helped Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups to a modest increase in sales in January, the Coffer CGA Business Tracker has revealed.

Sales of BWS resurgent in hospitality sector after relaxation of restrictions

Published: 04 February, 2022

The easing of Covid-19 restrictions is having a positive impact on drink sales across the on-trade, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Hospitality sector welcomes relaxation of work from home rules in Scotland

Published: 26 January, 2022

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday (January 25) that office workers would be allowed to return to their desks from 31 January, a move that has been enthusiastically welcomed by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

South Africa's wine industry “must adapt to survive”

Published: 21 January, 2022

Wine oversight body Vinpro has urged South Africa’s winegrowers to use the pandemic crisis as an opportunity “to revive, recover and rebuild,” adapting current business models to better cope with a rapidly changing world.

Scottish government confirms that hospitality restrictions will end

Published: 19 January, 2022

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish parliament that the vast majority of Covid-19 restrictions issued before Christmas 2021 will end on 24 January.

A year in review: The 2021 challenge

Published: 20 December, 2021

James Lawrence picks out the highs and lows of another history-making year.

A Plan B Christmas will put the industry under “severe pressure”

Published: 09 December, 2021

A re-tightening of restrictions is threatening to put a pin in Christmas celebrations, causing more gloom for the hospitality sector as the government rubber stamps plans to introduce vaccine passports for late-night venues.

South Africa trade slams new travel ban

Published: 29 November, 2021

The international communities’ decision to prohibit travel to South Africa will have “significant implications” for the nation's struggling wine and tourism industries, according to oversight body VinPro.

Scottish hospitality sector relieved as passport scheme not extended

Published: 24 November, 2021

Yesterday's announcement by the Scottish government that the Covid-19 passport scheme will not be expanded to encompass the wider licensed hospitality industry has been met with relief and jubilation.

Soapbox: Richard Lloyd at The Park makes the case for agile supply chains

Published: 22 November, 2021

We hear from Richard Lloyd, general manager for European operations and supply chain at The Park, the hub of Accolade Wines’ European operations and an independent business in its own right, on how the industry can work together to overcome its supply chain difficulties

Hospitality is in ‘peril’ and ‘fighting’ for survival

Published: 12 November, 2021

The hospitality sector is “an industry in peril” that is fighting for its life, the latest edition of the UKHospitality (UKH) and CGA Quarterly Tracker has said.

Vinpro calls on SA government to make sustainable policies to help recovery

Published: 08 November, 2021

The South African wine industry has called on the Government to include sustainability in its plans to help in the recovery and growth of the sector and country.

UK brands soar in value but still trail global giants

Published: 29 September, 2021

The UK’s leading brands are showing positive signs of recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaping in value by 22% to reach a new record high of $278.8 (£207 billion), according to Kantar’s BrandZTM Most Valuable UK Brands 2021 ranking. However, growth rates show they are lagging behind the biggest global brands.

CGA: Digital consumerism continues to accelerate post-Covid

Published: 28 September, 2021

New research undertaken by CGA Strategy and a global reputation management firm has revealed the importance of maintaining a robust digital presence in the pandemic era, with consumers increasingly focusing on social media reputations – and peer review sites – before planning a night out.

Spirits boost drinks sales recovery while wine trails behind

Published: 18 August, 2021

Drinks sales have continued to edge further back towards pre-Covid levels in August, with spirits emerging as the leading category helping to catapult the on-trade towards recovery.