Harpers teams with Wines Direct to exclusively reveal Consumer Awards 2019

Harpers has teamed up with Wines Direct to exclusively reveal the winners of Wines Direct Consumer Awards 2019 (indies and large merchants) alongside new insight into shopping behaviours drawn from the responses of more than 1,700 consumers

Joe Fattorini: selling obscure online

JOE FATTORINI

Online sales growth in sharp slowdown

Online retail sales grew by 5.4% for the first half of 2019, down from 16.9% growth for the comparable period in 2018, according to data from the latest IMRG CapGemini eRetail Sales Index.

In store rationalisation means consumers are seeking out diversity online

Wine is the most frequently purchased alcoholic beverage online, it has been revealed, as consumers increasingly turn to the web to seek out the product diversity that’s been lost from the high street.

Online BWS sales grow ahead of market

The beer, wine and spirits (BWS) category recorded 9.6% growth in online sales last month compared to March 2018.

Co-op and Digital Goodie team up to launch online shop

The Co-op has launched its first online grocery home delivery service after teaming up with Finnish online outfit Digital Goodie. Live now, shoppers in central London can shop online and receive their order in less than two hours.

Shift from shop to showroom is vital for the future of retail, says Majestic CEO

The chief executive of the newly rebranded Naked Wines has defended the decision to trim down its 200-store estate while shifting investment focus to the online side of the business.

Gap in recycling offers huge opportunity for brand owners and retailers

Concerns over health and safety are hampering the use of recycled materials in food in drink, new research has suggested.

Q&A: Xenia Irwin MW, Waitrose Cellar

Xenia Irwin MW, wine buyer at Waitrose Cellar is in revelatory mood as she shares her passion for her job – and some childhood memories. 

Bulk selling in a digital world

The launch of a new trading platform for the drinks trade promises to disrupt existing business models. Jo Gilbert investigates

UK one of the most “mature” markets for alcohol online, despite accounting for less than 10% of sales

The UK is at the forefront of selling wine online thanks to well-established specialist wine retailers such as Majestic and The Wine Society, new research has revealed.

New business showcases over 400 English wines

A new online wine club called Winebuyers has launched listing over 400 English wines.

A smarter way to sell

Jo Gilbert connects with the businesses aiming to bring the convenience, value and focus of online shopping to bricks-and-mortar stores

Royal Wedding and hot weather boost online BWS sales

Online sales of beer, wines and spirits were up 27.3% YoY in March 2018, new data has revealed.

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

An extra £500m investment in product and service innovation could put Waitrose ahead of the game

Store closures and profit warnings have become death knells for retailers on struggling high streets, and there was concern last week when Waitrose announced it is shutting five of its 353 stores.

LWF: Why Wine-Searcher has gone mobile first, and why you should too

Optimise your site for both mobile and desktop browsing or risk getting nudged out by the competition was the advice at a seminar on selling wine online this morning.

Cold weather turns into pressure cooker for high street stores

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

New online retail platform for BWS launches

A new online retail platform offering customized wine, beer and spirits selection boxes has been launched.