Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Design inspiration: What can BWS categories learn from each other?

Published: 30 December, 2024

Jo Gilbert tallies up the scores on BWS’ shelf appeal and explores what each category could learn from the other.

Demand for rare whisky softens as 'taxes and tariffs threaten global sales'

Published: 10 December, 2024

The once booming market for deluxe single malt is in decline, according to new data published by a leading financial advisory firm.

Harpers Design Awards 2024: The full rundown

Published: 06 December, 2024

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but great design is a finely tuned skill. Andrew Catchpole highlights the best of the crop at this year’s Design Awards.

Elevating baijiu with Melody Wong

Published: 04 December, 2024

Andrew Catchpole speaks to The Peninsula’s director of wine Melody Wong about her high-flying role and the mission to elevate baijiu in the UK.

Campari Group appoints new CEO

Published: 04 December, 2024

Industry veteran Simon Hunt has been appointed CEO of the Campari Group, after an extensive assessment process involving both internal and external candidates.

International Alliance for Responsible Drinking exceeds safeguarding target

Published: 22 November, 2024

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a collective of some of the world’s biggest alcohol producers, has surpassed its 2024 goal of embedding rigorous digital safeguards across thousands of brands worldwide.

Michael Vachon parts company with Maverick Drinks

Published: 14 November, 2024

Maverick Drinks co-founder Michael Vachon has announced his departure from the firm, after 11 influential years at the helm.

Hospitality ramps up range rationalisation in response to growing costs

Published: 12 November, 2024

Nearly a quarter of hospitality operators have changed the routes-to-market of their drinks ranges and more business are seeking to reduce their delivery partners than increase them, leaving drinks brands at risk of being de-listed, new research has revealed.

New study shines light on future trends in spirits

Published: 11 November, 2024

Research undertaken by GlobalData suggests that premiumisation, convenience, generational shifts and AI will be the key drivers of innovation and development in the spirits industry over the next five years.

Justerini & Brooks celebrates 275 years with launch of Limited Series

Published: 29 October, 2024

Wine merchant Justerini & Brooks marked 275 years in business last week via the launch of several exclusive products at its grand anniversary celebration at Burlington Arcade in Mayfair.

Calling the Budget

Published: 28 October, 2024

Long-time spirits industry commentator and MD of Mangrove Global, Nick Gillett, speaks out ahead of the new Labour government’s Autumn Statement, arguing that ‘the best hospitality can hope for is to be left well alone’.

Waitrose appoints new wine trading manager

Published: 07 October, 2024

Nicola Jones will join Waitrose as its new wine trading manager on 13 October, bringing 13 years of experience from within the company.

Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024: The full rundown

Published: 04 October, 2024

Harpers’ round up of the leading UK wine, beer and spirits suppliers has landed once again, featuring the best in the business. Drawn from a dynamic and ever-evolving sector, these are the companies that our judges deemed to have gone the extra mile in terms of quality of service and portfolio, plus much else besides. And their inclusion in this list is a celebration of that professionalism and attention to detail.

Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 ranking: 10-1 revealed

Published: 04 October, 2024

Welcome to the final reveal of our Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024, featuring the Top 10 businesses in the UK.

Jerry Lockspeiser: What are we in business for?

Published: 03 October, 2024

Two contrasting news stories caught my attention last month. The first featured the largest ever gathering of the B Corp movement. Held in Oxford the B Corp Festival brought together people from a growing community of over 2000 UK companies who have embraced its key objective – that business should be a force for good. B stands for Benefit. The slogan is People, Planet, Profit. The ethos is that all stakeholders – internal and external – should benefit from what a business does and how it does it.

Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 ranking: 20-11 revealed

Published: 03 October, 2024

This week marks the unveiling of our Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 results, singling out and celebrating the best in the business when it comes to supplying wines, spirits and beers.

Berry Bros. & Rudd enters fine wine auctions market

Published: 01 October, 2024

Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant, has announced its entry into the fine wine auction market with the launch of Berry Bros. & Rudd Auctions.

Celeb backed brands aren’t failsafe for success

Published: 06 September, 2024

New data has revealed the precarious business of investing in celebrity backed brands; for while they tend to outperform their total category, celebrity involvement doesn’t always guarantee success.

Holyrood celebrates international success via Dutch partnership

Published: 02 September, 2024

Edinburgh-based Holyrood Distillery has reported strong export growth as mid-year sales already exceed that of 2023 by 15% thanks to an exclusive partnership with Dutch importer and distributor High Spirits.