Harpers Awards 2015 are open for entry!

 The entry process for the Harpers Awards 2015 is well and truly underway with the opportunity for businesses and individuals from across the UK on and off-trades to receive recognition for their hard work and achievements.

Rowan Gormley tells the naked truth about Naked Wines

No one can deny Naked Wines has an innovative business model, but is it everything it claims to be? Erin Smith asks founder Rowan Gormley to reveal all

New Direct Wines chief advocates getting more personal with consumer

David Thatcher, new group chief executive of Direct Wines, says the key to success in 2015 is a continued focus on personalisation, as he prepares to take up the role later this month.

Drinks industry leaders praise outgoing Direct Wines' chief Simon McMurtrie

Drinks industry leaders have heaped praise on outgoing Direct Wines' group chief executive Simon McMurtrie, as he prepares to take up a series of roles as  chairman of different businesses.

Direct Wines appoints David Thatcher as group ceo as Simon McMurtrie steps down

Simon McMurtrie, Direct Wines group chief executive, is stepping down later this month to act as chairman for a number of businesses, with current UK managing director David Thatcher replacing him.

Wine app Vivino celebrates 100 millionth scan

Wine app Vivino is celebrating its 100 millionth wine bottle scan from one of its 7 million subscribers.

Prosecco dominates festive fizz sales at major retailers

Sales of Prosecco are fizzing across the major retailers in the run-up to Christmas, with Tesco predicting one in three bottles of sparkling wine sold this year will be the Italian favourite.

Retail sales figures for November grow due to Black Friday and online sales

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) says November retail trading was saved by Black Friday and online sales - with electrical goods being the top sellers although premium foods also benefited.

Wine app Drync lets consumers search favourite wines and get delivered to local merchant

US wine app Drync has launched a new feature that allows customers to buy online and have their wine shipped to a local wine retailer for pickup - a move it claims turns local shops into the world's largest wine store. 

Naked Wines is UK's most popular specialist online wine retailer, says Harpers new report

Naked Wines is the most popular specialist online wine retailer in the UK, according to a new Harpers report published today that examines the online shopping habits of British consumers.

Over 40% of Brits will buy wine online this Christmas, says Harpers new e-commerce report

Wine trade needs to wake up to online sales, warns e-commerce expert

The wine trade needs to reconcile the "inexorable shift" in wine sales online and the product's overall route to market, warns wine e-commerce expert Matthew Protti. 

Maison Sichel signs Amazon deal to boost off-trade sales

Maison Sichel has signed a deal with Amazon for five of its wines, with a special focus on flagship brand Sirius, in an effort to revitalise the brand after its UK off-trade distribution "ran out of steam".

Wine brands need to get on top of Facebook, warns social media campaigner at Wine Vision

Brands should "just be honest and sell their gear" on Facebook and other social media as forcing likes and comments turns off consumers.

Naked Wines urges suppliers angered by Majestic's funding request to switch supply to them

Naked Wines is offering any Majestic supplier angered at being asked to pay an extra 4p on every bottle sold to help fund its new warehouse, to switch supply to itself where it will promise the price agreed will be the price paid.

Virgin Wines teams up with Hardys with an exclusive range

Online retailer Virgin Wines has teamed up with Accolade Wines' Australian brand Hardys to create a new range especially for Virgin's customers.

Naked Wines' angels recruit top Champagne maker JP Moulin

Naked Wines' angels have raised £500,000 to allow Jean Phillippe Moulin, former Ruinart, Mumm and Baron de Rothschild winemaker, to launch his own Champagne line.

Virgin Wines wants to be Interflora of wine gifting

Online wine retailer Virgin Wines is looking to "own" the wine gifts market with its new gifting service which includes options from £20 to £150.

US and European wine regions step up campaign to protect online wine names

American winemakers were joined by their counterparts from Champagne at a conference on deregulating internet domain names in an effort to boost awareness of how weaker controls would negatively impact the wine business.

Naked Wines looks to recruit 25,000 more angels by year-end

Naked Wines is hoping to have 250,000 angels by the end of the year, as it toasts growth of 49% for the year to date.