Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo completes Don Julio Tequila acquisition

Published: 02 March, 2015

Last week Diageo completed the full acquisition and control over Tequila Don Julio from Jose Cuervo in exchange for Bushmills Irish whiskey brand.

Cîroc vodka is first alcohol brand to launch Instagram advertisements

Published: 27 February, 2015

C&icircroc vodka is set to be the first alcohol brand to launch paid for advertising on Instagram, as it kicks off a six week campaign today.

Bibendum sets aggressive integration target, but postpones move

Published: 13 February, 2015

Bibendum PLB has been working towards an aggressive six month integration target, but has decided to postpone plans to move to a new London location at least for the short term.

Damien Wilson named faculty chair for Sonoma State University's wine business programme

Published: 13 February, 2015

Dr Damien Wilson has been named as the first head for the newly-created role of the Hamel family faculty chair for the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University and is expected to start in August 2015.

Wine shipments face delays as California port dispute escalates

Published: 12 February, 2015

Wine shipments in and out of California face further delays as the labour dispute between port workers and their employers steps up a gear with vessel operations suspended over the upcoming long weekend.

H1 results for Pernod Ricard show stability as Alexandre Ricard steps up as CEO

Published: 12 February, 2015

Sales growth for the first half of the financial year for Pernod Ricard was minimal, but stable, ahead of the announcement of leadership changes at the drinks giant.

Bibendum PLB says data insights vital to trading with multiples

Published: 11 February, 2015

Bibendum PLB says its "bird's eye view' of the UK market marks it out as a unique player in offering consumer behaviour data to customers in this increasingly tough multiple retailer environment.

BrewDog continues expansion with opening of first Spanish bar

Published: 11 February, 2015

Scotland's largest independent brewery BrewDog is continuing with its expansion plans with the opening of its 26th bar and its first in Spain with its new Barcelona outpost.

Stevens Garnier rebrands to Sogrape and ups on-trade focus

Published: 10 February, 2015

Wine supplier Stevens Garnier is ditching its old name in favour of Sogrape, that of its Portuguese parent company, and has vowed to hone in on the UK's on-trade in 2015.

Tesco and rest of the supermarket industry returning to growth, says Kantar

Published: 10 February, 2015

After 13 reported months of decline Tesco has posted 0.3% growth and the supermarket industry as a whole appears to be improving with growth accelerating to 1.1%.

Portugal's wine community Adegga ramps up digital marketing services for producers

Published: 09 February, 2015

Portuguese online wine community Adegga is boosting its digital services by offering producers a shared wine marketing and sales platform.

The Smith Report: The rise of independents retailers

Published: 09 February, 2015

There is some significant hype around the independent sector in the UK at the moment, but is it really warranted?

Scotch Whisky Association goes to Westminster asking government to support trade and drop duty

Published: 06 February, 2015

The Scotch Whisky Association argued this week at Westminster that as a £5 billion industry and a vital part of the UK economy the government should implement measures that support the sector and cut duty by 2%

US wine shipments threatened as ports gridlock ahead of possible shutdown

Published: 06 February, 2015

US ports are currently facing gridlock traffic as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association which represents shipping lines has failed to reach an agreement in contract negations with an impending shut down only days away.

Portugal: Wines offering high quality at good value

Published: 06 February, 2015

Wine may struggle to be as big as Portugal's most famous export but it is quickly earning its place in Europe's premier league of wine.

Newly formed New Zealand Craft Beer Collective comes to the UK

Published: 05 February, 2015

The New Zealand Craft Beer Collective, a group of craft brewers that formed in mid-2014, will soon be imported and distributed in the UK.

Aldi set to open another 70 stores this year in the UK

Published: 05 February, 2015

Aldi plans to open 70 more stores across the UK and hire 150 store managers, 300 assistant managers and 4,500 store staff in 2015.

Diageo appoints new digital and e-commerce general manager

Published: 05 February, 2015

Marco Preda has been appointed to the newly created role of general manager, digital and e-commerce, Europe at Diageo.

LVMH profits up, despite poor wine and spirits performance in 2014

Published: 04 February, 2015

Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton reported €30.6 billion in revenue for its full year financial results for 2014, which was up 6% over 2013, with revenue increases in all business groups except the wine and spirits arm of the company.