Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Take a trip down memory lane with Harper's Quizmas Quiz

Published: 05 December, 2014

It has been a long and emotional 2014. Can you recall the rollercoaster ride of drinks trade happenings?

Christmas Report: Gin is a must-have festive tonic

Published: 05 December, 2014

Once the preserve of the stockbroker set, recent years have seen gin reach a much younger and more fashionable audience. Helen Arnold assesses whether gin can stay on its upward journey

Christmas Report: Champagne still a staple at any Christmas table

Published: 05 December, 2014

When it comes to celebrating in the Champagne category it pays to have a story, to be different and to stand out from the competition.

David Gleave, Liberty Wines, and his key wine trends for Christmas

Published: 26 November, 2014

We believe Old World wines will continue to perform well this Christmas as people look to spend a little bit more and trade up to premium examples of known varieties. Alpha Zeta's Single Vineyard Pinot Grigio 'Terrapieno' from the Veneto is a good example of this.

Christmas Report: time for big hitting whisky brands to shine

Published: 10 November, 2014

The whisky companies have been unveiling their big-hitting Christmas whiskies at a flurry of consumer shows in recent weeks, writes Dominic Roskrow, and it's clear that they're keen to cash in on the sector's current popularity by extending its appeal to new drinkers and attempting to be all things to all people.

Christmas Report: how rum is spicing things up

Published: 10 November, 2014

Like the other spirit categories, the growth in rum is mainly driven by the premium sector. Spiced rum that is the latest big thing, with sales growing by more than 21% year on year, making it worth an annual £80m. It appears to be particularly popular in Scotland, where it accounts for over 21% of value sales, and at the younger end of the market, while well-aged rums are finding favour with a more discerning, 30-plus audience. Helen Arnold reports.

Christmas Report: how vodka can drive festive profits

Published: 10 November, 2014

Vodka commands the lion's share of the spirits sector, with over 30% of total sales; not only is it the most widely drunk spirit in the UK, but it is outstripping the overall spirits sector, with annual growth of 4.4%. Helen Arnold reports.

Christmas Report: why wine has reasons to be merry

Published: 10 November, 2014

It's that time again. With more than a third of wine sales coming through in the 12 weeks of Christmas, the trade is nervously checking the weather forecast and gauging the mood among consumers as shoppers prepare to fill their stockings, writes Gemma McKenna.

Christmas Report: why premium spirits are key for festive sales

Published: 07 November, 2014

Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:

Christmas part 2: Key players weigh up the role of sparkling wines as the festive season approaches

Published: 07 October, 2014

The festive season is still the key trading period for sparkling wines. What do producers, brand owners, multiples and merchants expect from sparkling wines this year?

Christmas Part 1: How bubbles are trending in the lead up to Christmas

Published: 06 October, 2014

A celebration is nothing without a bottle of bubbly and Christmas is no exception. In the UK Prosecco and Cava remain strong, as consumers favour other sparklers over costly Champagne.

Pernod Ricard releases host of gifting options to boost Christmas sales

Published: 29 September, 2014

Pernod Ricard is planning to plug the "multi-million pound wine and spirits Christmas sales gap" it has identified with one-off releases and gifting sets.

Hospitality industry to create 6,000 jobs for young people by Christmas

Published: 25 September, 2014

The British hospitality industry will create 6,000 new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds by the end of the year, says the industry's trade association.

Tesco cuts prices on top wines ahead of Christmas rush

Published: 26 August, 2014

Tesco is cutting prices on a range of top wines as it starts clearing warehouse stock ahead of the Christmas rush.

Pernod Ricard calls for premium wine and spirits push in impulse for Christmas 2014

Published: 21 August, 2014

Pernod Ricard UK is aiming to cash in on millions of pounds of lost sales in premium wines and spirits in the impulse sector this Christmas by helping retailers encourage customers to trade up.

Christmas Cheers

Published: 15 November, 2013

In the second of our major reports on key trends for the Christmas drinks market, we look for festive cheer in the spirits and Champagne categories.

Spirit Supplier Views

Published: 14 November, 2013

Views from: Gillian Gibson, global brand manager, Balblair; Roy Summers, head of category management, First Drinks; Simon van Moppes, commercial director, Pernod Ricard

Christmas Champagne

Published: 14 November, 2013

Nobody loves Champagne quite as much as the British, writes Anne Krebiehl. Françoise Peretti - director of the Champagne Bureau, the UK office of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne - even refers to an "enduring love affair".

Champagne Supplier Views

Published: 14 November, 2013

Views from: Keith Isaac MW, general manager, Champagne de Castelnau Isaac; Andrew Steel, co-founder and director, Connoisseur Estates,

Christmas Spirits

Published: 14 November, 2013

From awkward December dalliances at the company party to toasting Christmas pudding on the big day, spirits play an important role in the 21st-century Christmas. Lucy Britner looks ahead at what tipples will be being tipped this year.