Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

State of the Nation Survey

Published: 17 January, 2024

Harpers received over 160 responses to our State of the Nation Survey, which canvassed the views of on-trade operators, multiple/indie retailers as well as distributors/importers spanning the length and breadth of the UK. Jo Gilbert takes the UK’s temperature.

Sparkling resilient as alcohol sales decline across Europe

Published: 30 January, 2023

A new study undertaken by analyst firm IRI paints a troubling picture for the European beverage industry, albeit there are some encouraging signs that certain categories are 'recessionary resilient'.

Ecommerce to remain key driver as US online alcohol sales hit $6.1 billion

Published: 04 February, 2022

Ecommerce is becoming a major force in global retail, with online sales of BWS achieving a total value of $6.1 billion in the US market last year.

On-trade reopening reduces supermarket BWS growth to 1%

Published: 27 April, 2021

Supermarket sales of beers, wine and spirits (BWS) slowed significantly in the past four weeks as grocers felt the knock-on effect of the return of hospitality.

Grocery BWS sales boom in January with hospitality lockdown

Published: 02 February, 2021

Alcohol sales in the grocery sector grew overall by 29% in January boosted by the closure of the on-trade sector with the Covid-19 lockdown.

In the spirit of change

Published: 01 September, 2020

Ghost kitchens and virtual restaurants are the next step in the accelerating on-trade evolution, which completely strips out the dine-in part of the restaurant experience. So where does alcohol fit into this increasingly food-focused, delivery-only mix? Jo Gilbert reports.

"Impressive" online drinks uplift here to stay

Published: 08 June, 2020

The influx of new online shoppers looks set to be sustainable, with alcoholic drinks to the fore of this growth in ecommerce.

DMD aims to take the next step with £500K crowdfunding bid

Published: 04 November, 2019

DMD Ventures, the parent company behind online alcohol retailer 31Dover and on-trade supplier Vanquish, is about to embark on a financial bid to the tune of half a million pounds.

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

Published: 05 September, 2018

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.

Out-of-home drinks sales slow down

Published: 05 September, 2017

The out-of-home alcoholic drinks market recorded a slight value increase in the past year, but declined in volume in line with the trend for drinking ‘less but better’.