Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Soapbox: Time to look beyond duty easement

Published: 18 December, 2024

Barring a near-miracle, it is now highly unlikely that the current UK government will make permanent the temporary duty easement that is ending this coming 1 February. Speaking with Andrew Catchpole for the first of a two-part Soapbox, Miles Beale of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) – who campaigned tirelessly on that matter and helped galvanise the trade – says it’s time to learn the lessons from this “incredibly disappointing” outcome and look ahead to the key bumps coming down the road in 2025. The trade can, he argues, force through more positive and desirable outcomes in the near future, if it pulls together in a similarly galvanised way.

Soapbox: Libby Brodie bursts the communication bubble

Published: 17 September, 2024

Columnist and communicator Libby Brodie of Bacchus & Brodie makes a persuasive case for embracing all platforms that promote wine’s appeal.

Soapbox: Answering the anti-alcohol lobby

Published: 09 May, 2024

Andrew Catchpole argues that the trade needs to take a firmer stance against the growing anti-alcohol lobby.

Soapbox: On the face of it – harnessing star power

Published: 10 August, 2023

Michael Goldstein, entrepreneur and founder of prosecco.com, questions whether celebrity investment in the booze business is all it’s cracked up to be.

Celebrity status is lighting up the spirits, wine and cocktail scene, with A-list faces trading scripts for spirits and couture for wine cellars. A stroll down the drinks aisle can now sometimes feel like a walk down the red carpet, with famous names backing many labels. But stardom does not necessarily guarantee long-term success for a beverage brand.

Soapbox: Cape expectations

Published: 13 July, 2023

Without greater financial sustainability for Cape growers, an increasing number of South Africa’s premium vineyards are under threat. DGB marketing director Andrew Harris explains the problem.

Soapbox: Bracing for major change

Published: 14 June, 2023

With swingeing duty rises about to hit the trade, Hallgarten & Novum Wines’ MD Andrew Bewes looks beyond the headline cost and turns his attention to the challenges operators face when implementing the increase at ground level.

Soapbox: Battling the behemoths

Published: 17 November, 2022

Nick Gillett, MD of Mangrove UK, on the uphill battle smaller brands face with ever more powerful players dominating the industry.

Soapbox: Can the wine industry survive desertification?

Published: 14 July, 2022

Nenad Trifunovic, director of business development at Wine & More, reflects on the future of a sector that is already feeling the heat.

Soapbox: Duty to change

Published: 14 January, 2022

With time fast ticking, Liberty Wines director of insights & business development, Alex Linsley, shares his company’s deep concerns around the government alcohol duty review, which is under consultation until 30 January 2022.

Soapbox: Why ingredient labelling on alcohol is vital

Published: 04 January, 2022

Richard Horwell of Brand Relations says full and compulsory ingredient labelling on alcoholic drinks is essential for the longevity and transparency of the sector

Soapbox: Bottling it

Published: 15 December, 2020

Glass sealing translates as glass ceiling for James Scott of C&C’s Proof Insights team, who argues that the 75cl bottle is killing the wine category.

Soapbox: Stephen Finch on the 2 metre barrier to trade

Published: 08 June, 2020

Asking for rational trade-offs, Vagabond’s Stephen Finch voices the on-trade’s concern over the economic impact of shut-down and the 2 metre distancing rule.