Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Insights: Beyond the duty easement

Published: 15 January, 2025

Drawn from our turn-of-year Looking Back, Forging Ahead series, we round up suppliers’ comments ahead of the end of duty easement on 1 February.

Harnessing the power of low & no

Published: 13 January, 2025

With one in three visits to UK pubs now alcohol-free, the onus is on hospitality to create a winning low & no menu. Jo Gilbert discovers more.

Maximising Christmas returns in hospitality

Published: 10 January, 2025

Jo Gilbert set out to discover if December will be haunted by the ghosts of Covid and Brexit past and, if so, what the sector can learn from them.

Indie innovation

Published: 08 January, 2025

Each year our 50 Best Indies entries reveal a wealth of innovative ideas and interesting initiatives. Ahead of the big reveal in January, we shared just some of those – both serious and more fun – that caught our eye.

Shining a light on Eastern delights from the EU

Published: 06 January, 2025

Focusing on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania for the EU’s More than Only Food & Drink campaign.

Wine tourism: Routes to success

Published: 03 January, 2025

With wine tourism growing rapidly, James Lawrence discovers that many wineries across the world are collaborating to create vineyard trails that benefit all.

Challenging the Champagne market

Published: 01 January, 2025

This fascinating discussion brought together a cross-trade panel to look at how to breathe new life into the premium market and appeal afresh to today’s modern consumer.

Design inspiration: What can BWS categories learn from each other?

Published: 30 December, 2024

Jo Gilbert tallies up the scores on BWS’ shelf appeal and explores what each category could learn from the other.

Protecting and promoting EU hidden gems

Published: 20 December, 2024

The More Than Only Food & Drink campaign provided the backdrop for an insightful discussion about the role that PDO and PGI play in defining Europe’s wines.

Drinks tech takeover in 2024 and 2025

Published: 18 December, 2024

Jo Gilbert rifles back through a year filled with digital breakthroughs in drinks, dominated by the march of AI, while looking forward to what 2025 may bring.

Multiples: Festive foresight

Published: 16 December, 2024

Ahead of the hoped-for Christmas frenzy, James Bayley asks the Co-op’s Joe Turner what lies in store.

Insights: Taxing times ahead

Published: 13 December, 2024

With the aim of providing clarity for the trade, James Bayley once again highlights what’s coming down the line.

Georgian wine turns heads

Published: 11 December, 2024

Georgia’s wines have certainly been turning heads, though with such a multifaceted offer it’s difficult to pin down one clear identity. Ideal, says Andrew Catchpole, for an increasingly wine-adventurous world.

Silver linings in the UK wine market

Published: 09 December, 2024

Ahead of the new year, Jerry Lockspeiser seeks out the positive trends amid the challenges facing the UK wine market.

Elevating baijiu with Melody Wong

Published: 04 December, 2024

Andrew Catchpole speaks to The Peninsula’s director of wine Melody Wong about her high-flying role and the mission to elevate baijiu in the UK.

Liberty report: Indies steal a march on supermarkets

Published: 04 December, 2024

Liberty Wines’ first ever Independent Off-Trade Wine Report paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the future. Jo Gilbert reports

Sustainability Report: Corp for the Wine Trade

Published: 03 December, 2024

Harpers partnered with North South Wines to invite drinks trade business leaders to explain what it takes to become a B Corp certified company and the benefits delivered. Jaq Bayles reports.