Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Positive thinking

Published: 07 July, 2021

While the past year has been extremely challenging for alcohol, there’s cause for optimism when it comes to recovery. Lisa Riley crunches IWSR numbers.

The Drinks Trust gets behind National Hospitality Day

Published: 06 July, 2021

The Drinks Trust has partnered with a taskforce of the hospitality industry’s main trade associations, professional bodies and charities to call on the nation to support the sector by visiting their favourite venue on 18 September – National Hospitality Day.

Industry welcomes plans to lift restrictions but warns long road ahead

Published: 06 July, 2021

The hospitality industry has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on the lifting of restrictions on 19 July as a “major milestone”, but warned of a "long road ahead".

Along came Covid

Published: 30 June, 2021

Jo Gilbert examines whether the past year has helped or hindered the pre-Brexit narrative that leaving the EU would benefit sales of English and Welsh wine

Hallgarten expands Italian portfolio

Published: 30 June, 2021

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has expanded its Italian portfolio, introducing 16 wines from five different producers in Northern and Central Italy.

Vinpro launches interim interdict application to lift ban

Published: 30 June, 2021

Vinpro has launched an urgent interim interdict application to lift the ban on the sale of wine in the Western Cape in a bid to seek interim relief for wine businesses.

WoSA: ‘Industry deeply disturbed by alcohol ban’

Published: 28 June, 2021

Wines of South Africa (WoSA) has voiced deep concern following President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing another total ban on the sale of alcohol yesterday, marking the fourth ban since the start of the pandemic.

Fourth alcohol ban for South Africa

Published: 28 June, 2021

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a total ban on the sale of alcohol for the fourth time since the start of the pandemic.

Staff shortages to hit crisis levels

Published: 23 June, 2021

Staff shortages in the hospitality sector are set to hit crisis levels following the 30 June, when it will become more difficult to hire EU workers, a leading City law firm has warned.

Scottish trade associations warn of further hardship

Published: 23 June, 2021

Scottish trade associations have expressed disappointment and concern on the delay in easing restrictions, which they claim could cause more business failures and hardship for the sector.

Calorie labelling timing 'counterproductive and damaging’

Published: 22 June, 2021

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the government to delay plans for mandatory calorie labelling on menus for six months, stating the additional costs will threaten to derail the hospitality sector recovery from the pandemic.

Over 75% of licensed sites traded by the end of May

Published: 21 June, 2021

A total of 76.2% of Britain’s licensed sites were trading by the end of May, with the number more than doubling from April’s 32.9% thanks to the return of inside service, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor research from CGA and AlixPartners.

Government extends rent moratorium to March 2022

Published: 17 June, 2021

The government has announced new legislation which will extend the rent moratorium past the former 30 June 2021 deadline, while also introducing a new arbitration system to solve disputes between landlords and commercial tenants affected by the pandemic.

2021 Drinks Wholesaler Spotlight

Published: 16 June, 2021

We surveyed the trade asking how drinks suppliers have evolved their businesses in response to the pandemic. Andrew Catchpole rounds up the responses.

Vinpro: ‘Blanket approach unnecessary, unjustified and counterproductive’

Published: 16 June, 2021

Vinpro has warned about the “dire consequences” another alcohol ban, or restrictions on wine sales, would hold for related businesses and the livelihoods of those working in the South African wine industry value-chain.

BWS online sales hold up ‘remarkably well’

Published: 14 June, 2021

Online beer, wine and spirits (BWS) sales rose 7.5% in May, bucking the downward trend recorded across the majority of FMCG categories.

WoSA unveils new digital platform

Published: 14 June, 2021

Wines of South Africa (WoSA) has launched a new digital marketplace — Wines of South Africa Gateway — pitched as a single tool for the country’s producers to interact with the trade globally.

One-month delay to restrictions lifting would cost hospitality £3bn

Published: 14 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that a one-month delay to Covid restrictions lifting would cost the hospitality sector around £3bn in sales.

On-trade groups report 26% sales dip in May

Published: 14 June, 2021

Britain’s managed bar, restaurant and pub groups recorded a 26% drop in total sales in May compared with the same month in 2019, according to the latest edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

New Zealand vintage 'exceptional' but down 19%

Published: 14 June, 2021

The quality of the 2021 vintage has been described as "exceptional" throughout New Zealand’s wine regions, although the harvest was smaller than hoped for, according to New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW).