Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Scotland's oldest distillery releases rare single cask malt

Published: 01 May, 2015

Perthshire distillery Glenturret has released a rare single cask malt whisky that will only be available online.

Italian restaurant Carluccio's launches online wine shop

Published: 29 April, 2015

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio has launched an online wine shop as part of a revamp of its website which goes live today.

Former TWE boss joins new digital TV channel dedicated to wine

Published: 24 April, 2015

David Dearie, the former CEO of Treasury Wine Estate, has joined the board of a new digital TV channel dedicated to wine.

Wine e-retailer boosts online offer as it exceeds crowdfunding target

Published: 21 April, 2015

Online retailer The New Zealand Cellar is set to boost its online offer after achieving more than 20% more than its crowdfunding target.

Google's algorithm change favouring mobile-friendly websites goes into effect tomorrow

Published: 20 April, 2015

Google is set to change its search algorithm this week and it could pose some new challenges for wine and spirit brands, as well as retailers, that do not have mobile-friendly websites.

Mobile consumer spending to hit £53 billion over the next decade

Published: 14 April, 2015

Consumer spending through the use of smartphones and other mobile devices is forecasted to reach £53 billion a year over the next decade according to new research released by Barclays.

Analysis: Majestic's acquisition of Naked Wines

Published: 10 April, 2015

Majestic Wines' acquisition of Naked Wines, and the appointment of Rowan Gormley as its new chief executive, will see the launch of a new international multi-channel wine retailing group.

Majestic Wines acquires Naked Wines and names Rowan Gormley chief executive

Published: 10 April, 2015

Majestic Wines has bought Naked Wines for £70 million and named Rowan Gormley chief executive officer of the new combined group.

The New Zealand Cellar crowdfunds to raise money for first shop

Published: 07 April, 2015

Online retailer The New Zealand Cellars has launched a crowdfunding project to raise funds to open its first retail shop.

Wine technology company VinTank bought by W20 Group

Published: 31 March, 2015

VinTank, the US technology company that helps wine companies manage their social media presence, has been purchased by San-Francisco-based digital communications agency, W2O Group.

Naked Wines research finds consumers preferring higher alcohol wine

Published: 30 March, 2015

Naked Wines, the online wine retailer which crowdfunds independent winemakers through its customer base of over 250,000 'angels', has found that its consumers are favouring higher alcohol wines.

Coravin targets in home use as it starts to builds a Nespresso-style community

Published: 30 March, 2015

Coravin, the gadget that allows you drink wine without opening the bottle, is looking to broaden its reach in the UK through as it targets in-home users.

Has the bubble burst on sparkling wine?

Published: 25 March, 2015

Online sales of sparkling wines have fallen for the first time, prompting concern that the bubble on sparkling wine may be in danger of bursting.

Ocado bucks retail trends with first quarter sales growth of nearly 20%

Published: 10 March, 2015

Ocado saw sales jump 19.2% to £271.1m in the 12 weeks ending on February 22, 2015 compared to the same period last year - despite the average basket size declining by 2.4%.

2015 London Wine Fair will be the "most diverse" ever promises show organisers

Published: 09 March, 2015

This year's London Wine Fair will be the most diverse in its 35 year history, according to show director Ross Carter.

To succeed online takes hard work, time and money independents are warned

Published: 06 March, 2015

Driving online sales may be a priority for independent wine merchants, but to do it successfully requires a lot of hard work, takes up a great deal of time and crucially costs a lot of money.

Exclusive Google tips: 10 ways wine could can tell a better story online with video

Published: 06 March, 2015

Key trade figures came together last month to discuss with Google how to use online video, in a seminar organised by the School of Wine & Spirits Business in Dijon and supported by Harpers.

Shifting retail landscape likely to benefit independents, Wilson says

Published: 05 March, 2015

Shifts expected in the off-trade over the next 12 months are likely to create a "huge opportunity" for independent merchants, according to Tim Wilson of the Wilson Drinks Report.