Action Week 1 - Getting the most out of your suppliers

Harpers March for the Independents campaign kicks off with retailer survey

Today marks the official start of Harpers March for the Independents campaign which over the next month will put the spotlight firmly on the needs and trading issues facing independent wine merchants.

Wine is now the UK's most popular alcohol drink with 30 million regular drinkers

Wine is now the most popular alcohol drink with 60% of adults, according to a new poll commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Herefordshire English winery looking for UK distributor

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

Merchants get chance to get on top of their business at March for Independents conference

Beer sales on the rise after 10 years of falling sales following back to back duty cuts

WSTA sets out its own general election manifesto to the main political parties

What the drinks industry wants from the next government is laid out today in the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's general election manifesto.

IWC claims retailers can raise millions of pounds in extra sales by using medal stickers

Using award winning wine stickers on bottles can boost total wine sales by up to 15% in retail outlets, equating to millions of pounds in extra sales, according to research released today by the International Wine Challenge.

Power to fine supermarkets for Groceries Code breaches edges closer

The power to fine supermarkets up to 1% of their turnover for breaching the Groceries Code have edged a step closer after being laid in Parliament.

Concha y Toro beefs up push across six core wine brands

Concha y Toro UK is planning a renewed push across six of its core wine brands for 2015, as well as aiming to boost convenience sales.

Accolade sees its Mud House New Zealand wine brand go from 10K cases to 250k in a year

Mud House, the New Zealand wine brand, grew sales 2,500% in the last 12 months from 10,000 9 litre cases to a quarter of a million cases, according to figures released by brand owner Accolade Wines.

Matthew Clark ramps up 'quirky' wine tasting

On-trade supplier Matthew Clark is set to further revamp its annual wine tasting to encourage visitors to step outside their wine comfort zone.

Diageo exposed for extending supplier payment terms to 90 days

Diageo is the latest high profile supplier to be exposed by the national media for trying to exert what has been seen as overt pressure on its suppliers.

John Hearn joins Enotria as off-trade commercial director

Former Diageo Percy Fox global commercial director John Hearn is to become off-trade commercial director at Enotria.

Accolade Wines recruits Daniel l'Anson as first UK fine wine director to drive premium wines

Accolade Wines hopes to establish a footprint and market for its extensive range of premium wines by appointing its first fine wine director in the UK.

Jeremy Rockett new MD for Marblehead

Former longstanding Gonzalez Byass marketing chief Jeremy Rockett has been appointed the new managing director of Marblehead - the brand development arm of Quintessential Brands.

Harpers Awards 2015 promises to roll out red carpet for best in UK wine and spirits

Awards season is well and truly amongst us with seemingly not a day going by without a red carpet being rolled out for the great, good and glamorous. Harpers is giving you the chance to shine in your own industry with this year's entry process for the Harpers Awards well and truly under way.

UK wine trade to unite to pay respects to Château Musar's Serge Hochar

A memorial service is to be held to remember the life and influence of legendary Lebanese winemaker, Serge Hochar, of Château Musar, who died whilst on a family holiday in Mexico over the new year.

Maxxium UK's MD announces departure for newly created role at Edrington

Maxxium UK's managing director Huw Pennell announced today he will be leaving his post to join Edrington, one of Maxxium UK's major shareholders, for a newly created role of European regional managing director on April 1, 2015.

Chief of the Week: Skin Côntact's Richard Hemming

Drum roll please for our Chief of the Week who is the man behind the wine industry's very own rock band, Skin Côntact, that has been brought together to not only bring some much needed entertainment for the drinks trade but to help raise money for Comic Relief.