Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

National Hospitality Day returns for second edition

Published: 29 June, 2022

A landmark event pioneered in 2021 will return to the UK this year, uniting a diverse cross-section of businesses in the hospitality sector.

Britain’s cities back in growth as spend and inflation rise

Published: 27 June, 2022

Out-of-home food and drink sales are in growth in all of Britain’s 10 biggest city centres, with higher spend-per-visit driving growth rather than footfall.

‘Critical’ staff shortages costs hospitality £21bn in trade

Published: 23 June, 2022

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels and causing nearly half (45%) of operators to cut trading hours or capacity in order to cope, a new survey has said.

UK eating-out market set to value £95.2 billion in 2022 +4% versus 2019

Published: 22 June, 2022

According to the new Lumina Intelligence Eating Out Market Report, the UK on-trade is set to value £95.2 billion in 2022, +4% versus its 2019 value, meaning that inflation is outpacing market growth.

Managed groups' like-for-like sales flat in May as cost crisis deepens

Published: 17 June, 2022

Like-for-like sales at Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in May were just 0.1% ahead of the pre-Covid-19 levels of 2019, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals.

'Chronic' staff crisis continues as vacancy gap widens

Published: 14 June, 2022

New figures have shown how the hospitality sector’s staffing crisis is worsening under growing stagnancy in the job market, as the gap between new job creation and people willing to enter the workforce is widening.

Top 25 Sommeliers to celebrate best in the business

Published: 05 May, 2022

Harpers is delighted to announce the launch of its Top 25 Sommeliers, designed to recognise and celebrate the leading lights in the on-trade drinks world.

Inside Hospitality report finds disturbing lack of support for minority ethnic groups

Published: 26 April, 2022

The second edition of the Inside Hospitality report has found worryingly high levels of racism in the workplace, cemented by 28% of Asian, 37% of Black and 39% of mixed ethnicity respondents experiencing or witnessing racism in their current place of work.

Inflation dampens hospitality growth

Published: 22 April, 2022

Hospitality’s recovery from Covid remains “fragile”, new data has shown, as solid growth for Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in March was dampened by high inflation.

Labour costs pushed ever upwards as hospitality battles to retain staff

Published: 19 April, 2022

Staffing issues continue to set back hospitality’s recovery from Covid-19, according to a new survey, which has found that nearly four out of five hospitality leaders have offered higher wages to try to retain staff.

Nightjar calls night owls to late-night launch

Published: 19 April, 2022

Nightjar Carnaby

Revolve launches brasserie with a British twist

Published: 14 April, 2022

Revolve

The Open House offers intimate summer dining with The Arber Garden

Published: 12 April, 2022

The Arber Garden

Gin and still wine lose momentum in post pandemic new normal

Published: 04 April, 2022

After enjoying a period of meteoric growth, the UK's favourite white spirit has hit a stumbling block, with a drop in hospitality market share in 2021.

The trade reacts to the government’s VAT increase

Published: 24 March, 2022

Today, the government has officially returned the VAT rate for the hospitality and tourism industry to 20% (24 March).

Ridgeview embraces wine tourism with new hospitality project

Published: 21 March, 2022

One of the UK's most iconic sparkling wine producers has announced plans to develop a tourism centre, offering visitors an immersive wine experience from vine to glass.

Burger & Lobster unveils refugee recruitment drive

Published: 21 March, 2022

Leading restaurant group Burger & Lobster has announced plans to develop a new online portal for Ukrainian refugees seeking hospitality work in the UK.

Hospitality can help the cost of living crisis, new report finds

Published: 16 March, 2022

A report compiled by UKHospitality and CGA highlights the vulnerable state of the UK’s pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It also demonstrates how hospitality can help solve the cost of living crisis.