Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA crowns rum the drink of lockdown

Published: 26 October, 2020

The WSTA has crowned rum the "drink of lockdown" with the spirit enjoying the biggest growth across all spirits during the period, according to new WSTA data.

Three Tier local lockdown system devastating for on-trade

Published: 21 October, 2020

Pubs, bars and restaurants under the “very high” Tier 3 local lockdown level have already seen a daily sales drop of 60% or more, according to new data from CGA.

Wales to go into national circuit breaker lockdown

Published: 19 October, 2020

The Welsh government has announced that the whole country will be going into a circuit beaker lockdown from 6pm this Friday.

Tightening restrictions squeeze drinks sales further

Published: 19 October, 2020

Tightening restrictions have squeezed food and drink sales further, with more disruption to pubs and bars looming with the new tiered system, according to new CGA research.

Wine drinking occasions up in lockdowns

Published: 16 October, 2020

Wine drinkers across key consumption markets have been turning more often to the beverage during the pandemic. This is spurred by new lockdown occasions and more drinking outside of mealtimes, according to a new Wine Consumer Trends in the Covid-19 Era report released by Wine Intelligence.

Tier 2 restrictions for London on-trade, with North West facing Tier 3

Published: 15 October, 2020

In a further escalation of the rolling partial lockdowns across the UK, the government is introducing Tier 2 restrictions on Londoners from midnight tomorrow (Friday 16 October), Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, announced in the Commons today.

Low and no sales on the rise

Published: 07 September, 2020

Sales of low- and no-alcohol drinks are up 30% year-on-year in the off-trade, with consumer spend on alcohol-free spirits hitting £5.4m, according to data from Nielsen.

Wine online jumps 238% at Waitrose

Published: 20 August, 2020

Waitrose had reported a significant boost to its online wine sales as consumers take advantage of a “wider selection” of wine online during lockdown.

Hubert Beatson-Hird, The Hunter’s Moon: Back to Business Q&A

Published: 18 August, 2020

As the trade measures up to extraordinary times and swings into the height of summer, leading businesses and operators take stock of trading conditions in the new normal.

Q&A: Emily Roux, co-owner, Caractère

Published: 18 August, 2020

The youngest scion of the Roux clan talks to Jo Gilbert about family expectations, restaurant no-shows and how to avoid divorce when working (and living) with your significant other during a pandemic

Brave new cocktail world?

Published: 11 August, 2020

As consumers attempt to recreate a simplified on-trade experience in the home, which new trends and habits will remain post-lockdown? Lisa Riley reports.

Kim Wilson: Back to Business Q&A

Published: 05 August, 2020

As the trade measures up to extraordinary times and swings into the height of summer, leading businesses and operators take stock of trading conditions in the new normal.

Beer is the big post-lockdown winner as pubs lead on-trade recovery

Published: 03 August, 2020

Out-of-home drinks sales are continuing to nudge upwards after the end of lockdown, with pubs and beer in most demand so far, it has emerged.

UK hospitality takes a £30bn tumble

Published: 28 July, 2020

The closure of the hospitality industry between April to June left a £30bn hole in the British economy, it has emerged.

Staff shifts still down 69% across the UK

Published: 24 July, 2020

The challenge facing the hospitality sector has been reiterated by new figures which show that shifts worked by employees are still down 68.9% across the UK.

James Sommerin left ‘devastated’ by restaurant closure as he issues plea to customers

Published: 24 July, 2020

Top chef James Sommerin has spoken about the cruel circumstances surrounding the closure of his family restaurant after the pressures of Covid-19 became too much to bear.

Green shoots of recovery in food-service

Published: 22 July, 2020

Britain’s food-service sector is showing signs of post lockdown recovery, according to new research from information business The NPD Group.

Price cuts deliver unexpected bounce for Bordeaux 2019

Published: 09 July, 2020

A fast, four-week campaign with average price cuts of 21% confounded many expectations by delivering a successful En Primeur 2019 release.

Deliveroo and Majestic tie-in expands following lockdown growth

Published: 09 July, 2020

Deliveroo and Majestic Wine have announced another major expansion to their delivery partnership, taking the number of participating stores from 83 to 137.