Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK spirits decline, premium segments resilient

Published: 23 July, 2024

James Lawrence looks at the trends shaping and driving premium sales

On-trade: The highs, lows and holding on

Published: 18 July, 2024

Clinton Cawood examines the sectors of the market faring best and those suffering the most.

UK restaurant groups see record May delivery sales growth

Published: 25 June, 2024

Britain’s leading managed restaurant groups experienced their highest year-on-year growth in delivery sales for 2024 last month, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker.

Hospitality faces mixed fortunes amidst economic challenges

Published: 19 June, 2024

The UK hospitality sector continues to experience a turbulent period, as highlighted by a series of reports and statistics. Despite significant challenges, the industry demonstrated resilience with a notable year-on-year sales growth in May 2024.

Euro 2024 set to drive footfall to pubs and bars, reveals CGA research

Published: 10 June, 2024

Recent findings from CGA by NIQ's latest BrandTrack survey indicate a significant interest in the upcoming Euro 2024 football tournament among British consumers, with nearly half (46%) planning to tune in. Among these viewers, two in five (40%) intend to watch matches in pubs and bars.

Hospitality faces inflation challenges amid mixed sales results

Published: 23 May, 2024

UK inflation dropped to 2.3% in April, its lowest level in nearly three years. However, the reduction was less significant than anticipated, dampening hopes for an imminent interest rate cut.

Rate of hospitality closures slows

Published: 08 May, 2024

The latest data from CGA shows that closures in Britain’s hospitality sector slowed from eight sites a day in 2023 to four a day in the first quarter of 2024.

Hospitality groups enjoy 5.2% growth in March

Published: 18 April, 2024

In March 2024, Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved above-inflation like-for-like sales growth of 5.2%, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker.

Tonic and mixers: Adapting to thrive

Published: 18 April, 2024

The premium mixers market is showing resilience in the face of the cost of living crisis, finds Nigel Huddleston.

Humble Grape’s vision for expansion

Published: 17 April, 2024

As the UK’s hospitality sector grapples with a wave of closures, Humble Grape’s Fleet Street bar played host to its spring portfolio tasting, offering a glimpse into the brand’s ambitious plans for growth and expansion.

Insights: The new big night out

Published: 12 April, 2024

New research has laid bare the state of night-time on-trade businesses operating post-pandemic. James Bayley looks at the new trends shaping the sector.

Night-time industry evolves amid swathe of club closures

Published: 19 March, 2024

Few industries have suffered more than night-time hospitality during and since the pandemic. Last month, Rekom UK, which owns the Pryzm and Atik nightclub brands shut down 17 of its venues.

Hospitality continues slow start to 2024

Published: 14 March, 2024

Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved modest like-for-like sales growth of 1.4% in February, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.

Liberty Report: premium on-trade wine sales still below pre-Covid levels

Published: 23 February, 2024

Wholesaler and importer Liberty Wines has released its premium on-trade report covering the two years following the final Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2021.

Hospitality sales flat in January as consumer spending squeezed

Published: 15 February, 2024

Britain’s leading hospitality groups generated like-for-like sales growth of just 0.1% in January according to CGA.

Premium chains lead restaurant market growth

Published: 14 February, 2024

According to Lumina Intelligence, the UK restaurant market reached a value of £18.6bn in 2023, spearheaded by premium branded establishments and menu price inflation.

Analysis: Hospitality seeks aid to halt closures

Published: 14 February, 2024

As the on-trade is hit by a cost-of-doing-business crisis, many are facing a tough decision unless government intervenes. James Bayley reports.

Managed groups eye expansion despite swathe of hospitality closures

Published: 12 February, 2024

Gaucho and M-owner Rare Restaurants will open 30 new sites following its double-digit revenue growth in 2023.

On-trade: Sporting chances

Published: 07 February, 2024

As a summer of major fixtures looms, quality on-trade outlets are increasingly embracing lucrative shared viewing experiences, reports James Bayley.

6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023

Published: 30 January, 2024

New data released today (30 January) has revealed more than 6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023, bringing the total number of closures since the pandemic to nearly 23,000.