Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Asda slammed for selling beer that's cheaper than water

Published: 08 October, 2008

Asda has come under fire for selling cans of lager that are cheaper than the price of a bottle of water.

Famous Grouse gets festive makeover in the off-trade

Published: 08 October, 2008

Scotch whisky The Famous Grouse is to be repackaged for the off-trade this month in a bid to boost sales in the run up to Christmas.

Strongbow renews TalkSport sponsorship deal

Published: 08 October, 2008

Strongbow is renewing its 'Bowtime' sponsorship deal with TalkSport for another twelve months.

M&S opens first store in mainland China

Published: 07 October, 2008

Marks & Spencer has opened a flagship store in Shanghai, the retailer's first in mainland China.

Great Western Wine celebrates 25 years

Published: 07 October, 2008

Great Western Wine has marked 25 years of trading with a reception at its Bath shop.

Co-op wine buyer championed for fairtrade work

Published: 07 October, 2008

Co-op wine buyer Maria Elener has scooped the Buyer of the Year accolade at the annual Everywoman in Retail Awards.

Angove branches out with McLaren vineyard acquisition

Published: 06 October, 2008

One of Australia's oldest family owned wineries, Angove Family Winemakers, has acquired a 12.15 hectare vineyard in McLaren Vale as it seeks to expand its portfolio to include super premium Shiraz varietals.

Bristol bartender crowned world's best

Published: 06 October, 2008

A Bristol bartender has won the title of Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender of the Year.

Diageo launches first TV ad for Guinness Red

Published: 06 October, 2008

Diageo GB is ploughing £6 million into a marketing campaign for Guinness Red which will include the brand's first ever TV ad.

Scotland's Alcohol Awareness Week gets underway

Published: 06 October, 2008

Drinks industry bodies will come together with the Scottish government, health professionals and the voluntary sector this week to mark Scotland's second annual Alcohol Awareness Week (AWW).

Edrington appointed duty free agent for The Glenrothes

Published: 03 October, 2008

BB&R Spirits has announced that The Glenrothes will be represented by The Edrington Group's distribution network in global travel retail from mid-October.

ALMR calls on Labour to help save pub industry

Published: 03 October, 2008

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) is calling on Labour to do more to give Britain's pub industry a "much needed jump start".

Jacob's Creek launches drama with Mail on Sunday

Published: 03 October, 2008

Jacob's Creek has teamed up with the Mail on Sunday to launch an online drama.

Global Brands announces company re-structure

Published: 03 October, 2008

Drinks manufacturer and distributor Global Brands has announced a raft of management changes which it says which will enable the company to take a longer-term view of the business and add to its drinks portfolio.

Multiples urge trade to stress price and value

Published: 03 October, 2008

By Shirley Webb and Richard Siddle

Retailers are urging suppliers not to promote premiumisation in the current economic climate.

Carluccio's charged with breaching recycling rules

Published: 03 October, 2008

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's has been charged for allegedly breaching rules requiring it to attempt to reduce and recycle waste packaging.

Thierry's and WSET launch scholarship award

Published: 03 October, 2008

Thierry's Wine Services has become a corporate patron of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET).

PLB moves into spirits with Matusalem Rum

Published: 02 October, 2008

EXCLUSIVE: By Shirley Webb

UK distributor PLB Wines has set up a new spirits arm in a bid to diversify its portfolio.

Scottish age-raise plans come under fresh fire

Published: 02 October, 2008

Plans by the Scottish government to raise the legal purchasing age in off-licenses to 21 came under fresh fire today as MSP's met to debate the decision.

Constellation reports $23 million second quarter loss

Published: 02 October, 2008

Constellation Brands has reported a second-quarter loss of nearly $23 million (£13 million) on the sale of some of its vineyards and production plants in Australia.