CBI reports strong and growing retail sales figures

Further signs the economy is recovering come today with the latest CBI retail figures that show volumes have grown solidly in the year to July and that retailers expect future sales to be even stronger through the summer.

Diageo's Captain Morgan advert once again banned by the ASA

Diageo, for the second time this year, has had a Captain Morgan advert banned by the Advetising Standards Authority (ASA) for a Facebook adve which stated that alcohol could combat boredom.

Memories of red thongs and "Semillons" inspire Andrew Shaw to join Team Cox

Andrew Shaw, head of buying at Bibendum Wine, is the latest wine industry stalwart to sign up to take part in the upcoming Médoc Marathon in Bordeaux to help raise money in memory of Michael Cox, the former UK head of Wines of Chile.

Matthew Clark launches 80-strong Boutique Beer range

Matthew Clark will today introduce a new range of 80 different beers to cater to on-trade's fastest growing category.

Tesco to replace chief executive, Philip Clarke, with outsider from Unilever

Spanish wines hit shelves at rock bottom prices to clear stock

Spanish wines will start hitting shelves at rock bottom prices of below £3.99 as exports drop by 3% in value despite increasing by 17% in volume.

I Heart Wines to move into travel retail

Copestick Murray's I Heart wine brand is entering the travel retail market with the appointment of specialist distribution partner Red Zero 7.

Setting the record straight: Pernod Ricard UK says fake wine reports are two years old

Pernod Ricard has issued a media statement refuting stories run by the Daily Mail, the Metro, The Independent, The Mirror and The Times in recent days that named Jacob's Creek as one of the wine brands that are on sale in some local off-licences that could be counterfeit and potentially harmful. 

Your chance to enter and nominate brands for the Harpers Global Design Awards

If you have seen or worked with an exciting new drinks in the last 12 months then you can now nominate them to receive special recognition in the Harpers Global Design Awards.

Scotland win the World Cup...Harpers Predictions game!

James Macdonald of Burlington Drinks can hold his head up high today as the canniest, wisest football tipster in the UK wine and spirits industry as he came out top in the Harpers World Cup Predictathon.

Bibendum's launches 15-strong sake range for UK on-trade and independents

Last week marked the offical launch of Bibendum's new range of sakes to the on-trade and independent merchants in the UK.

World Cup drinks sales to top £1bn but dry up as tournament reaches its end

As we enter the final stage of the World Cup it seems the great British public is ready to put down its pint glass as well as turn off the football on television.

Australian premium wine not growing as fast as key competitors

Australian wine is not growing as fast at the premium end of the market as key competing countries like France, according to figures from Nielsen.

UK wine buyers to look more closely at alcohol levels, says Portman chief

UK wine buyers will start factoring alcohol content into their buying decisions on the back of a new Responsibility Deal pledge around lower alcohol house wines, says Portman Group chief Henry Ashworth. 

Calling all drinks businesses: share your Responsibility Deal successes

Following this week's public backing of the drinks industry by the government for the work it has done to comply with the Responsibility Deal, Harpers is now giving drinks businesses the chance to share and publicise the efforts they have made.

Harpers Low-Alcohol Wine Report: Subscribers download here

Try as it might, the UK wine trade has yet to crack the low-alcohol wine category, according to a new Harpers report published today.

Over 55s increasingly happy with new smart technology to buy online

Drinks brands and retailers looking to target the key over 55 grey market should do so through smartphones, tablets and the internet as the older generation becomes increasingly comfortable with technology.

Retailers and suppliers yet to crack low-alcohol wine, says Harpers report

Try as it might, the UK wine trade has yet to crack the low-alcohol wine category, according to a new Harpers report published today.

Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company: what I want from my suppliers

As an independent wine merchant one of the important and challenging jobs is how we deal and negotiate with suppliers. These can be large national companies or small boutique operations and we could be dealing with anything from the old fashioned "rep" to owners, directors or winemakers.

Independents put their foot down and demand more from major suppliers

Serious about working with leading independent wine merchants? Then this is a must read for you. Members of Harpers Independent Wine Crew set out what it is they like and don't like from the major wine distributors. Richard Siddle and Erin Smith report