Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Indies: Realigning strategies

Published: 10 November, 2023

Despite the challenges facing independents, businesses are optimistic that new buying strategies will please consumers. By James Lawrence.

Ups and downs of Christmas trading

Published: 20 January, 2023

Celebrating the return of a ‘normal Christmas’ offered up much-needed sales for indies towards the back end of 2022, though overall performance was impacted by the spread of late sales and location. Jo Gilbert reports.

Covid and Brexit: A perfect storm?

Published: 21 October, 2020

With Covid and Brexit uncertainty pressing down ahead of Christmas, Andrew Catchpole asked some of our top 50 Best Indies what lies ahead.

EU producers must support UK to deliver best Brexit outcome

Published: 14 February, 2020

European wine producers should join their UK counterparts in lobbying their own MPs and the EU to deliver the most favourable post-Brexit trading environment.

UK Agents: are you being served?

Published: 04 January, 2018

I wish to be cremated… one tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in my contract,” quipped Groucho Marx of the breed that acts for the stars. Finding humorous quotes at the expense of agents is easy work, whether levelled at the acting or commercial world, with these designated business representatives – popularly the “10 percenters” – coming in for flack for apparently sitting back while counting their cut for little in return.

Australian Premium

Published: 08 June, 2017

Generating more than £1.1 billion in off-trade sales alone in the UK each year, Australia is clearly a category to be reckoned with, continuing to lead its nearest rivals Italy, France and the US by quite some degree. In the on-trade, too, while sitting in a far more modest third position, the country racked up a further £366 million worth of sales in 2016, adding another sizeable dose of Down Under flavour to the British wine scene.