Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Armit unveils rare vintage release from La Rioja Alta

Published: 23 January, 2017

Armit Wines has announced the release of the 2007 Gran Reserva 904 from La Rioja Alta, which will be available from 25 January.

Gifting and corporate sales leads to better than expected Christmas at Virgin Wines

Published: 20 January, 2017

Gains in its gifting business and expanding it loyalty membership by over a third helped Virgin Wines to pull in bumper sales this Christmas.

Think Rum Awards winners 2017 announced for Harpers' inaugural event

Published: 17 January, 2017

Rum's top advocates were recognised for their contributions to this increasingly popular and sometimes misunderstood spirit when Harpers celebrated its inaugural Think Rum event yesterday (January 16).

Weaker pound and Brits staying in the UK over Christmas gave trade welcome boost ahead of Brexit-laden 2017

Published: 13 January, 2017

Analysts have suggested that struggling sterling swaying Brits to stay in the UK over the festive season 2016 is the reason that outlets are celebrating record sales this week.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 13 January, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Performance review: An early look at the multiples' Christmas trading

Published: 12 January, 2017

In retail head offices across the country, buyers will be analysing this year's trading, investigating highs and lows, and providing the traditional Christmas post-mortems.

Tesco and Sainsbury's join multiples in celebrating Christmas gains

Published: 12 January, 2017

A strong online performance, the successful integration of Argos into stores and a focus on scrapping multi buys has led to a better than expected Christmas for Sainsbury's.

More "posh nosh" and alcohol sales puts Morrisons at the top of the Big Four

Published: 10 January, 2017

Morrisons found its groove this Christmas, with alcohol and expansions to its new Best range helping to achieve its strongest like for like sales in seven years.

Alcohol one of the fastest growing categories in the multiples this Christmas

Published: 10 January, 2017

Sales of beers, wines and spirits saw an +5.7% uplift over the Christmas trading period, putting it behind only confectionery as the biggest driver of festive growth.

Majestic Retail has "biggest ever Christmas" during bumper trading period

Published: 10 January, 2017

Sales of sparkling and gin helped to put a skip back into Majestic's step over the Christmas period with total group sales up 15.3% compared to the previous year.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 06 January, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Number of countries drinking English wine increased by a third in 2016

Published: 03 January, 2017

Sales of English Wine reached new heights in 2016, according to DEFRA.

Early Christmas trading brings mixed fortunes to retailers

Published: 23 December, 2016

M&S, Co-Op, Tesco and Morrisons are the early winners in the battle for supermarket festive wine sales, according to Nielsen's latest scan track data

New buying director joins Berry Bros. & Rudd

Published: 15 December, 2016

One of Britain's oldest wine merchants is welcoming a new person to head up its buying team.

Craft beer and Prosecco in 2017: Will their bark be worse than their bite?

Published: 15 December, 2016

The epic rise of craft beer and Prosecco are the two major success stories of recent times, but one market analyst has suggested that 2017 could offer a reality check for the two juggernauts as they struggle to keep up with projections.

Patagonian wine taking steps into the multiples with Buckingham Schenk

Published: 14 December, 2016

Patagonaian wines from southern Argentina are taking steps into the UK off-trade with a new listing at Waitrose.

Christmas could rescue the multiples from a dismal November

Published: 14 December, 2016

Shoppers might have been happy with their purchases but Black Friday failed to bring a boost to supermarkets when the shopping holiday landed on November 26.

Growers Champagne offering an alternative to Prosecco this Christmas, says Virgin Wines

Published: 13 December, 2016

Grower Champagnes having been sparking consumer interest at Virgin Wines, where wine buyers are expecting sales to flourish this Christmas.

Conviviality Retail buys 15 convenience stores in the South East

Published: 12 December, 2016

Conviviality PLC is expanding its presence in the South East with the acquisition of KMD Enterprises Ltd (KMD).

Alan Sugar's big gin debate: Are coloured gins a big no-no?

Published: 09 December, 2016

The issues surrounding colouring usually clear spirits came to the wider public's attention last night with the latest episode of BBC1's The Apprentice.