Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Waitrose named UK's favourite supermarket by Which?

Published: 19 February, 2015

Waitrose has returned to the top spot of the Which? annual supermarkets survey - narrowly ahead of last year's winner, discounter Aldi.

Tesco names John Allan as new chairman

Published: 18 February, 2015

Dixons Carphone deputy chairman John Allan has been appointed to lead Tesco's board of directors as Richard Broadbent departs.

Tesco and rest of the supermarket industry returning to growth, says Kantar

Published: 10 February, 2015

After 13 reported months of decline Tesco has posted 0.3% growth and the supermarket industry as a whole appears to be improving with growth accelerating to 1.1%.

Richard Siddle: why Tesco's product cull will impact everyone in the trade

Published: 06 February, 2015

Here are a few questions for you? Do you work with any of the major supermarkets? If so do you ever take a close look at what is happening in any other aisle of the store other than wine and spirits? I mean do you assess how a particular category like confectionery, health and beauty or crisps and snacks is merchandised? How many suppliers in that fixture that retailer works with? What sort of promotions they are running? If you don't then you need to.

Tesco calls on wine suppliers for added payments as Grocery Code Adjudicator starts inquiry

Published: 06 February, 2015

In the last 24 hours Tesco has issued two separate requests for wine suppliers to pay effectively the same additional payment for increased sales volumes they have received for their products following its recent product cull.

Aldi set to open another 70 stores this year in the UK

Published: 05 February, 2015

Aldi plans to open 70 more stores across the UK and hire 150 store managers, 300 assistant managers and 4,500 store staff in 2015.

Grocery Adjudicator launches Tesco investigation

Published: 05 February, 2015

The Groceries Code Adjudicator has launched an investigation into Tesco over evidence that it delayed supplier payments and demanded fees for better positioning on shelf.

Wine agency suppliers to be hardest hit in Tesco range cull

Published: 02 February, 2015

Tesco's pledge to cut ranges by 30% as part of a massive overhaul of its entire product base will hit wine and spirits suppliers, especially those on the agency side, and is likely to be followed by the other major supermarket chains, industry experts have warned.

Power to fine supermarkets for Groceries Code breaches edges closer

Published: 29 January, 2015

The power to fine supermarkets up to 1% of their turnover for breaching the Groceries Code have edged a step closer after being laid in Parliament.

Groceries Code Adjudicator hamstrung in efforts to fine supermarkets

Published: 20 January, 2015

The Groceries Code Adjudicator has admitted she is hamstrung in her efforts to reprimand retailers as the government has not yet finalised her powers to hand out fines.

Tesco turns to advertising and management gurus to help rebuild brand's reputation

Published: 15 January, 2015

Tesco is bringing in organisation transformation firm Blue Rubicon and the advertising agency that Sir John Hegarty helped found, Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), to work with the company's leadership team in an effort to help turn the struggling retailer around.

Waitrose bucks grocery trend for store closures with 14 new openings for 2015

Published: 14 January, 2015

Waitrose is bucking the trend of store closures and job losses in the grocery sector by opening 14 new outlets in 2015, with more in the pipeline for 2016.

Big four grocers face 'unprecedented' competition, says Kantar

Published: 13 January, 2015

Christmas sales figures are neck-in-neck across the grocery market, according to Kantar's latest data, which shows the retailers are the closest they have ever been since the market research firm began keeping records 20 years ago.

Festive figures: Grocers celebrate small victories despite minimal growth

Published: 13 January, 2015

Despite "modest growth" of 0.6% across the grocery market during the festive period, Kantar Worldpanel says this gives cause to celebrate - representing the biggest boost across the sector since August 2014.

Tesco's credit rating downgraded to 'junk' status

Published: 12 January, 2015

Global credit rating agency Moody's has further downgraded Tesco long-term credit rating from Baa3 to Ba1, which is considered "junk" grade for investments that are considered 'high risk'.

Richard Siddle: all eyes on Tesco to take lead in retailer supplier relations

Published: 12 January, 2015

When over 200 businesses are moved to fill in an in-depth, 20 question survey online in the week before Christmas you know you have hit a nerve.

Up to 95% of suppliers demand retailers change the way they work with them

Published: 09 January, 2015

Up to 95% of the 200 suppliers who took part in our survey into the behaviour of major UK retailers want them to change. Here Gemma McKenna reveals what suppliers really think of the big multiples

Tesco is worst retailer to work with say wine and spirits suppliers in Harpers poll

Published: 09 January, 2015

Tesco has been named and shamed as the worst retailer to work with in a survey of over 200 wine and spirits suppliers carried out by Harpers.co.uk.

Accolade Wines releases alcohol-free Echo Falls drink

Published: 08 January, 2015

Accolade Wines-owned Californian brand Echo Falls has released a tea-infused alcohol-free sparkling drink made from fermented grapes.

Tesco kicks off turnaround plan with asset sales and store closures

Published: 08 January, 2015

Tesco is taking radical steps to turn around its flagging business, including major cost-cutting, selling off assets, closing 43 stores and its Cheshunt headquarters and scrapping plans for 49 new ventures in a bid to fund lower prices.