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Drinks United appoints programme manager to lead industry culture change

Published:  14 October, 2024

Drinks United, the joint initiative by The Drinks Trust, WSTA and WSET, has named Laura Aiken as programme manager to steer its three-year strategy aimed at reshaping the UK drinks industry. Aiken brings experience in managing global culture change projects.

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Wine prices to rise as tax changes loom

Published:  04 October, 2024

Wine prices are set to increase as UK retailers brace for significant changes to wine taxation starting February 2025. Businesses warn that the new system will require six-figure investments to handle the administrative burden, with potential annual costs also running into similar sums.

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WSTA urges two-year alcohol duty freeze to boost economy

Published:  23 September, 2024

Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the government to freeze alcohol duty for at least two years, arguing it will help offset declining revenues and support public finances.

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Insights: State of the nation

Published:  20 September, 2024

James Bayley delves into the latest data to get to the heart of the shifting trends across the wine trade in the UK.

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Soapbox: Miles Beale's hope for the future

Published:  06 August, 2024

Wine & Spirit Trade Association CEO Miles Beale shares his optimism that the new government will listen to the trade.

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Campari Group’s Francesco Cruciani joins WSTA executive board

Published:  12 July, 2024

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed a new board member, adding another major global spirit brand to its executive board.

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Trade unites behind WSTA to petition incoming government on duty easement

Published:  03 July, 2024

With the UK general election just a whisker away and the current Prime Minster all but admitting a crushing defeat, the WSTA has issued an open letter calling on the incoming government to make permanent the duty easement.

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UK drinks industry launches EDI initiative with safeguarding priority

Published:  12 June, 2024

Leading wine trade bodies, merchants and importers have united to support the UK drinks industry's new EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) initiative, prioritising safeguarding.

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The future of wine writing

Published:  11 June, 2024

With times tough and outlets shrinking, Chris Losh invites trade comment on the relevance of wine writers.

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Analysis: Call to action by trade body

Published:  11 June, 2024

WSTA chief urges government action for £35bn UK wine sector. James Bayley reports.

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UK wine and spirit industry boosts economy with £76bn contribution

Published:  10 June, 2024

A recent report by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has highlighted the substantial economic impact of the UK's wine and spirit industry, which contributed over £76bn to the economy in 2022. This marks a significant increase from the £49bn reported five years ago.

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WSTA seeks independent retailers’ views on ending wine duty easement

Published:  29 May, 2024

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on independent retailers to participate in a brief survey regarding the scheduled end of the temporary wine duty easement next February. This measure, introduced in August 2023 as part of the government's alcohol duty review, allows wines with an alcohol content between 11.5% and 14.5% abv to be taxed at a standardised rate of 12.5% abv. Once the easement ends, wines will be taxed based on their actual alcoholic strength.

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CTSI report: Nearly half of wine in UK pubs and bars is short-measured

Published:  28 May, 2024

A report released by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has revealed that 70% of beer and wine served in UK pubs and bars is short-measured, resulting in significant financial losses for consumers. The study highlighted that an average beer drinker is losing approximately £88.40 annually, while a wine drinker loses around £114.40 per year due to under-pouring.

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WSTA, The Drinks Trust and WSET launch appeal for EDI Initiative

Published:  28 May, 2024

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), The Drinks Trust and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) have launched an appeal for funding to support the initial stage of its initiative aimed at fostering equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the UK drinks industry. 

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Quality over quantity marks 2024 London Wine Fair

Published:  24 May, 2024

The London Wine Fair 2024, held at Olympia from 20-22 May, experienced a decrease in both visitor and exhibitor numbers, but the focus on visitor quality brought a positive response from exhibitors and attendees alike. 

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UK drinks trade reacts to surprise July general election

Published:  23 May, 2024

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a surprise general election on July 4 has stirred significant reactions within the UK drinks trade. 

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LWF: Is the UK a global hub or a ‘has been’?

Published:  22 May, 2024

‘Is the UK a wine hub or a has been?’ This was one of the more interesting questions posed at this week’s London Wine Fair (LWF).

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WSTA chief urges government action for £35bn UK wine sector

Published:  21 May, 2024

At the London Wine Fair 2024, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), delivered a comprehensive ‘State of the Nation’ speech, reflecting on the past four and a half years of the UK wine market under various government administrations and outlining the sector’s needs from the next government.

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30 Under 30: Results 2024!

Published:  20 May, 2024

Harpers is delighted to present our annual rundown of the top-ranking members of the trade aged under 30 for 2024. The sheer breadth of quality applicants from across the UK, from cities to remote rural corners, truly gets better every year. Now in its third cycle, Harpers 30 Under 30 received over 100 applications (a mixture of self-nominations and via colleagues), with each prospective star deserving recognition. 

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Joint WSTA, Drinks Trust and WSET initiative aims to create ‘meaningful changes’ on EDI

Published:  07 May, 2024

The WSTA, The Drinks Trust and the WSET are currently coordinating an industry response to the issues identified around safeguarding and equity for those working in drinks, with the next step on the journey being a seminar at this month’s London Wine Fair (LWF).

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