Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Vodka: Mainstay on the back-bar

Published: 24 August, 2023

James Bayley assesses the health of the vodka category in the wake of the great Russian boycott and notes the spirit’s premium leanings.

The WSTA to launch ‘low and no’ alcohol guides

Published: 04 August, 2023

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has spearheaded the development of the UK’s first low and no alcohol guides, amid exponential growth in the burgeoning sector.

Curious Vines and Proof Insight to launch women in wine survey

Published: 03 August, 2023

Curious Vines and Proof Insight are to collaborate on the ‘first-ever’ survey to discover how women feel about working in the wine industry.

Is India the next China?

Published: 24 July, 2023

India has emerged as a key volume driver for beverage alcohol, whilst China's growth has softened according to the latest IWSR analysis.

Sparkling offers glimmer of light for UK alcohol, as global volume growth slows

Published: 08 June, 2023

India, Mexico and Brazil will take over from the US and China as the volume drivers of growth for alcohol around the world, new figures have revealed. Meanwhile, the US and China remain key to the industry’s value growth – and the UK continues its trend of wine stagnation.

Consumer confidence levels on the rise finds IWSR

Published: 19 May, 2023

While consumer sentiment has improved, beverage alcohol consumers in the UK are still mindful of how they spend their disposable income according to the IWSR.

ProWein survey reveals opportunities for no-low and sparkling wines

Published: 24 April, 2023

In a survey of nearly 2,500 wine experts from 47 countries, a special report from Prowein 2022 suggests 46% of producers and merchants want to adapt their portfolios to market trends.

Insights: (Some) reasons to be cheerful

Published: 19 April, 2023

Wine’s long-term decline continues while spirits and beer have enjoyed a Covid rebound. However, several markets, including the UK, have seen a resurgence in the total number of wine drinkers, with the rise of premium sales also offering positives. Jo Gilbert looks at the numbers.

Consumer confidence in finances is improving finds IWSR

Published: 13 April, 2023

The latest findings from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the global beverage alcohol data and insights specialist, show that although stated alcohol spend is falling in many markets, consumer confidence about finances and the future is trending more positively than in 2022. This is especially true of the UK, where consumers show signs of improved sentiment following lows in late 2022.

Ecommerce and premium offer opportunities in ‘challenging’ wine market

Published: 16 March, 2023

The latest analyses of the global wine market by IWSR offers some positives, though set against the prediction that the trend to drink less and drink less often will continue.

Australia’s trendsetters

Published: 08 February, 2023

James Lawrence looks at the likely shapers of Australia’s wine industry into 2023.

Low & no and the big shift in drinking

Published: 06 February, 2023

With moderate drinking trends hitting all sorts of milestones and headlines in 2022, Jo Gilbert asks, was that the year low & no went mainstream?

Multiples: Keeping wine accessible

Published: 27 January, 2023

Co-op and Asda BWS buyers tell James Bayley how they are attempting to ensure their consumers can continue to enjoy value-for-money wines in the bleak economic landscape.

Tech and Innovation: Looking to the future

Published: 25 January, 2023

Following a strong year in 2022 in terms of technological advances and innovation, Jo Gilbert asked the trade’s key crystal ball-gazers to share their predictions for 2023.

Insights: Moderation movement

Published: 16 December, 2022

Premiumisation continues as consumers lean into little luxuries. However, the economic doldrums and rising inflation are also fanning the flames of moderation trends, writes Jo Gilbert.

Millennial fallout threatens premiumisation

Published: 13 December, 2022

A major shift in premiumisation trends is about to occur, new analysis from the IWSR has concluded, as millennials and those who enjoyed greater discretionary spend during the pandemic feel the strain of a new period of economic instability and stagnation.

The era of economic moderation is here, as inflation finally bites

Published: 07 December, 2022

Premiumisation was an ongoing trend in wines and spirits during the first half of 2022 as consumers leaned into little luxuries, new data has revealed. However, as we teeter on the brink of global recession, it is increasingly clear that consumers are holding back on their drinks purchases – a trend that could be particularly acute in the UK, where both intensifying economic gloom and rising inflation is threatening to ‘derail premiumisation’.

Cava’s return to power

Published: 31 October, 2022

Cava’s image has been bruised in recent years, not least by an exodus of nine influential producers in 2019 from the DO. Nonetheless, it remains a sparkling powerhouse, led by corporate giants Codorníu and Freixenet. The numbers speak for themselves: global exports rose by 16.45% in the first nine months of 2021, according to the Consejo Regulador. However, with stagnant growth in the UK, there are challenges ahead if the DO hopes to reconquer one of Europe’s most dynamic sparkling wine markets.

Value outpacing volume in RTD products growth

Published: 06 October, 2022

Consumer demand for premium ready-to-drink (RTD) products will drive the category forward, with value growth outpacing volume growth at 8% vs 5% CAGR 2022–26, according to an annual study from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Organic wine sales increase 27.4% Y-O-Y at Majestic

Published: 14 September, 2022

Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has announced a significant boost in organic wine sales. The figures indicate that the organic wine movement shows no signs of slowing down.