Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spirit revenues top beer for the first time

Published: 05 June, 2017

Sales of spirits brought more money to the Treasury than beer for the first time ever, according to the latest HMRC figures released this morning.

Vindependents poised to add spirits and beers to its portfolio

Published: 02 June, 2017

Vindependents, the drinks agency for independents run by independents, is going from strength to strength but the buying group is far from resting on its laurels.

Sales of Lidl’s own label Pimm’s alternative soar

Published: 30 May, 2017

Lidl has reported a surge in sales of its own label Pimm’s alternative boosted by the sunny weather prior to the bank holiday weekend.

Halewood presents 'unique' tonics alternative

Published: 22 May, 2017

Halewood Wines & Spirits is hoping to shake up the premium mixer category with a range of flavoured tonic waters.

Amber Beverage acquires stake in Cellar Trends

Published: 15 May, 2017

Amber Beverage Group has acquired a stake in Cellar Trends – a move that marks the Baltic company’s first entrance into the UK.

Diageo challenges £107m tax bill

Published: 12 May, 2017

HMRC has ordered spirits giant Diageo to pay a whopping tax bill of £107m as part of an investigation into ‘diverted profits’.

Rio Ferdinand captains new Captain Morgan push

Published: 10 May, 2017

Diageo has signed ex-England football captain Rio Ferdinand to head up a new global TV campaign for the rum brand.
The commercial, which kicks off today in the UK, features Ferdinand and brand ambassador Captain Morgan, and is focused on the former’s insatiable appetite for ‘fun and infectious’ humour. T

BrewDog prowls into spirits market with LoneWolf

Published: 27 April, 2017

Leading craft brewers BrewDog are aiming to take craft distillation to “new levels” with the launch of their first spirits range.

Mixers see highest growth of soft drinks driven by health trend and premiumisation

Published: 29 March, 2017

The Fever Tree effect is responsible for the rapid growth of mixers over the past 12 months.

Nickolls & Perks invests in new software to double online sales

Published: 28 March, 2017

Independent wine and spirit merchant Nickolls & Perks has invested in new wine specific software as part of a strategy to double its online sales in the next two years.

WSTA warns of potential bootleg booze flood ahead of Article 50

Published: 27 March, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned that if Brexit blocks borders bootleg booze could flood Britain.

Strong spirits performance boosts Adnams sales

Published: 23 March, 2017

Adnams has reported a 7% jump in annual sales boosted by a particular strong distillery performance in addition to healthy brewery growth.

Brand Ambassadors: Spreading the gospel

Published: 22 March, 2017

Glenfiddich's UK brand ambassador, Mark Thomson, is introducing the brand's new IPA beer-infused expression at a trade event in central London. "When I tell people I'm a brand ambassador they usually say: 'Yes, but what's your real job?'"

Distell extends partnership with Stock Spirits to boost its UK spirits portfolio

Published: 21 March, 2017

South African alcohol producer Distell has extended its partnership with Stock Spirits to enhance its spirit range in the UK.

The drinks world takes action over alcohol misuse

Published: 17 March, 2017

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) announced this week it is calling for entries for this year's Scotch Whisky Action Fund - an initiative set up in 2013 to help tackle alcohol misuse by offering grants for related projects across Scotland.

Sustainable gin which uses by-products of Sussex winery releases second batch

Published: 16 March, 2017

A British gin distilled with grapes from a Sussex vineyard is gearing up to release of its second batch following its launch in September.

Pernod rolls out standardised nutritional info across its major brands

Published: 14 March, 2017

Pernod Ricard has committed to publishing nutritional information across its strategic brands by including 'smart' codes across it major labels.

Gin replaces spirit-based drinks in ONS inflation basket

Published: 14 March, 2017

The ONS, which has not included the price of gin in inflation calculations for 13 years, today unveiled it had re-introduced it in light of "increased expenditure" on the popular tipple, which has replaced spirit-based drinks in the basket.

Jameson makes its first move into RTDs

Published: 14 March, 2017

Pernod Ricard has poured Jameson into cans in a bid to up the Irish Whiskey brand's relevance among younger drinkers.

Marie Bizard makes its first foray into frozen cocktails with low-calorie line

Published: 14 March, 2017

The range, rolling out in the UK and other European countries from May this year followed by a worldwide launch in 2018, comprises seven variants, including more unusual cocktails such as Rosé Grapefruit, White Peach, Elderflower Lime & Mint and apple liquor Manzanita.