Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK Hospitality welcomes progress on business rates reform

Published: 22 July, 2020

The government has launched a fundamental review of business rates, beginning with a call for evidence.

Majestic re-opens across the Channel

Published: 08 July, 2020

Majestic Calais, the French arm of Majestic Wine, has reopened its doors to customers at its superstore over The Channel following the easing of travel restrictions in and out of the UK.

Oregon commits to ‘anti-racism and equity’

Published: 10 June, 2020

As the fallout from the death of African-American George Floyd continues to reverberate around the western world, Oregon Wine Board has responded with a commitment to embed “more fully” an inclusive and racially equal approach across the state’s wine industry.

Sturges steps down from Jeroboams

Published: 02 June, 2020

London wine merchant Jeroboams is to have a new chief executive, with encumbent Hugh Sturges leaving the role at the end of June.

British vineyards hit by Covid crisis

Published: 02 June, 2020

The Covid-19 outbreak is causing serious damage to the UK’s wine industry, according to a survey of its members commissioned by Wines of Great Britain.

Indie merchants look to nurture new trade ahead of economic slump

Published: 29 May, 2020

With lockdown easing and non-essential shops beginning to reopen from 15 June, the independent merchant sector is increasingly planning ways of achieving some semblance of ‘normal’ store opening, while balancing health considerations with marked changes in trading conditions.

Majestic reinstates click and collect from stores

Published: 27 May, 2020

Majestic Wine is allowing customers back to its stores for the first time since lockdown, with orders now available to collect from local stores.

Government urged to end rent stalemate to save hospitality sector

Published: 18 May, 2020

UK Hospitality has again called on the UK government to intervene in the ongoing rent stalemate to prevent “widespread job losses and business failures” across the sector.

Hospitality has the UK's highest number of business closures and (almost) the most furloughed staff

Published: 14 May, 2020

A new survey showing how UK business are coping financially with the coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on the pressures being put on the out of home food and drink industry.

Living with Lockdown - Vinoteca

Published: 07 May, 2020

Hybrid wine bar co-owner Charlie Young talks to Andrew Catchpole about the massive challenges facing the on-trade and what is to come.

Securing a rent break key concern for hospitality

Published: 01 May, 2020

Securing a time out on rent has come out as a key priority for Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants as cashflow concerns top their agendas.

The B2C shift: Driving it home

Published: 24 April, 2020

The coronavirus (Covid-19) has opened up a new world of B2C engagement for businesses offering a lifeline to consumers stuck inside their homes, as Jo Gilbert reports.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The Covid experience - does diversification deliver business resilience?

Published: 22 April, 2020

One of the pleasures of writing an opinion piece for Harpers is keeping abreast of business issues. This comes partly through experience and discussion, partly through reading what others are writing.

Twiddling your furloughed thumbs? Take our 2020 Innovations Survey…

Published: 17 April, 2020

Ahead of Harpers annual Innovations Report we're once again inviting you to single out the most impressive and business-enhancing innovations from across the drinks trade via a quick online survey.

Innovations Survey: have your say on change before, during and beyond the crisis

Published: 14 April, 2020

Ahead of Harpers annual Innovations Report we're once again inviting you to single out the most impressive and business-enhancing innovations from across the drinks trade via a quick online survey.

Cash crisis looms as businesses call for reform to “lip service” relief packages

Published: 02 April, 2020

Companies are calling on the government to reassess its package of relief support which they say doesn't go far enough, fast enough, to help cash-strapped businesses through these turbulent times.

Distell reverses course on premium division

Published: 31 March, 2020

South African drinks giant Distell has shuttered its premium wine division Libertas Vineyards and Estates after little more than a year.

Lawyers urge businesses to “read the fine print” over Job Retention Scheme

Published: 25 March, 2020

Legal advice has been issued to drinks businesses who are now looking to rely on the government’s promise to cover 80% of salaries (up to a limit of £2,500) a month to furloughed members of staff during the current coronavirus (Covid-19) health crisis.

Jascots calls out to retail and wholesalers in need of stock as it pivots away from on-trade

Published: 23 March, 2020

On-trade supplier Jascots Wine Merchants has announced it is switching its focus to home-delivery and wholesale retail after sales plummeted from 85% of ‘normal’ to zero in the space of four days.

Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

Published: 18 March, 2020

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.