Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Whisky and vodka see double-digit price hike

Published: 12 February, 2013

Spirit prices have rebounded sharply after the Christmas sales, with whisky and vodka showing a double-digit...

Chase vodka calls for end to 'fake distilleries'

Published: 14 December, 2012

Chase Vodka founder William Chase has accused large and smaller distilleries of passing off mass-produced spirits as...

Counterfeit distilling and bottling plant seized in Liverpool

Published: 05 December, 2012

An illegal distilling and bottling plant set up to produce branded counterfeit spirits and wine has been seized by Trading Standards officers and Merseyside Police in Liverpool.

Belvedere: UK premium vodka market 'very dynamic'

Published: 30 November, 2012

Belvedere president Charles Gibb says the UK vodka market is "very dynamic" and fast-growing and that it wants to be at the forefront of driving awareness of premium products.

Drive to restore British gin to 'former glory'

Published: 29 November, 2012

The former founder of Tyrrells crisps is rolling out a British gin in the wake of new figures that show an annual 11.6% increase in gin sales.

Alcohol strategy consultation to launch this week

Published: 26 November, 2012

The government is set to launch the alcohol strategy consultation this Wednesday, which will consider at what level the minimum unit price should be set.

Blavod enjoys a 23% UK sales uplift

Published: 01 November, 2012

Drinks distributor and manufacturer Blavod has grown its UK sales by 23% and has a new focus following its £1.2 million refinancing deal.

Absolut revamps Drinkspiration app

Published: 25 October, 2012

Pernod Ricard-owned vodka brand Absolut has revamped its Drinkspiration iPhone app to provide personalised drink recommendations and fresh cocktail ideas for the new iPhone 5.

Spirits shoppers ignore ingredient claims, says research

Published: 24 October, 2012

Drinkers aren't influenced by ingredient claims when it comes to buying spirits, says new research.

Smirnoff vodka gets £7m nightlife boost

Published: 03 October, 2012

Diageo has announced a £7 million marketing boost for its Smirnoff vodka brand.

Smirnoff launches World's Best Drinks campaign

Published: 01 October, 2012

Smirnoff has launched multimedia campaign World's Best Drinks, in a bid to inspire consumers to experience new tastes across the vodka category.

FSA issues warning on Czech spirits

Published: 19 September, 2012

The Food Standards Agency is advising travellers to or from the Czech Republic to avoid drinking locally-produced hard spirits following a spate of alcohol-related deaths.

Halewood launches Jellus flavoured vodka range

Published: 28 August, 2012

Halewood International has expanded its spirits portfolio with the launch of the Jellus flavoured vodka range.

Stolichnaya celebrates 50th anniversary with new flavours

Published: 24 August, 2012

Maxxium-distributed Stolichnaya premium vodka has launched new flavours Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first flavoured vodkas.

Pernod Ricard's festive marketing plans revealed

Published: 17 August, 2012

In part two of Harpers' report on Pernod Ricard UK's festive plans for 2012, we take a look at what the drinks giant will be doing to promote its leading brands this Christmas.

Premium is the buzzword this Christmas, says Pernod Ricard UK

Published: 16 August, 2012

The biggest money-spinning opportunity this Christmas is wines in the £6.50 to £8.50 price bracket and spirits costing £14 to £21.

Campari 'cautiously optimistic' as profits grow

Published: 03 August, 2012

Gruppo Campari's net profits have grown by 3.5% to €77.9 million, as sales have grown 5% in the half year to June 30.

Marblehead adds Davna Bizon vodka to range

Published: 02 August, 2012

Marblehead Brand Development has launched Davna Bizon as part of its new range of premium vodka brands.

Ooberstock adds spirit range and plans further expansion

Published: 27 July, 2012

Ooberstock, the new Amazon-style wholesaler, has added a comprehensive spirits range to its growing portfolio.

First Drinks adds Reyka

Published: 06 July, 2012

As the popularity of premium Vodka shows no signs of abating, First Drinks has expanded its portfolio to add William Grant & Sons-owned premium Icelandic vodka Reyka (rrp£25) to sit alongside Green Mark and ?ubr?wka.