Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Design Wars

Published: 17 August, 2017

As the battle for shelf standout continues apace, Lisa Riley quizzes the experts on what matters most

Cork Fights Back

Published: 15 August, 2017

Once the only choice when it came to stoppers for wine bottles, cork has suffered at the hands of synthetic rivals for years. But now there are signs of a comeback, says Lisa Riley

Digital packaging: how smart is your bottle?

Published: 15 August, 2017

The impact of digitisation is so powerful that most marketers and brand designers are only just grasping the need for a more holistic approach, writes James Harmer of Touch design and innovation agency

Co-operating with consumers

Published: 14 August, 2017

Hot on the heels of its membership scheme launch, the Co-op’s Simon Cairns talks to Angela Mount about an initiative involving customers in new product development

How a French wine scandal could scupper the rise of bulk

Published: 10 August, 2017

The news of the investigation into bulk wine negociant Raphael Michel has shaken the French and UK trades this week. Will this scandal affect bulk’s chances of emerging from bottled wine’s shadow? Jo Gilbert reports

Harpers Design Awards 2017: Meet the winners

Published: 08 August, 2017

Once again, Harpers pulled together a leading panel of judges to decide which of the past year’s designs have what it takes to propel their brands to the top. Jo Gilbert reports

Innovation: Moving on up

Published: 07 August, 2017

Jo Gilbert asks if wine will ever have its Brewdog moment

Whisky Galore

Published: 07 August, 2017

First the bad news – on March 8, Chancellor Philip Hammond hit UK spirits with a near 4% hike in duty pushing the tax on the average bottle of Scotch to an eye-watering 79%. Having scrapped the duty escalator in 2014, followed by a cut the year after and then a freeze, this unexpected blow from “Spreadsheet Phil” provoked fury among distillers. “It is staggering that the Prime Minister stood up in Scotland on Friday [March 3] and said that Scotch whisky is ‘a truly great Scottish and British industry’ … and just five days later the Chancellor hammers this industry at home,” thundered Charles Ireland, managing director of Diageo GB.

Italian trends

Published: 01 August, 2017

Italian exhibition company Bellavita undertook some extensive research into Italian wine in the UK market to coincide with its recent London Expo. Here it shares those insights exclusively with Harpers

The cava conundrum

Published: 27 July, 2017

Spain’s famous fizz needs some imaginative thinking to return its sparkle, argues James Lawrence

Deliveroo-tionary: The partnerships changing the delivery game

Published: 26 July, 2017

Jo Gilbert argues that local link-ups such as Deliveroo’s new alcohol partnerships could change the delivery game

Harpers on tour: Champagne buyers trip 2017

Published: 25 July, 2017

Four wine buyers descended on Champagne last month and with their expertise ranging from a Michelin-starred restaurant to independent merchants to drinks distributors, the insight and expectations of Champagne were unique to each buyer. Starting with a trip to Épernay via Montagne de Reims and then south to the Aube, the visits were just as varied as the buyers. Jane Parkinson reports

Is recruitment breaking the camel's back?

Published: 24 July, 2017

With EU workers’ rights hanging by a thread, Jo Gilbert asks could a “Brexodus” break the UK’s hospitality sector?

On the tourist trail

Published: 17 July, 2017

Inviting consumers into the vineyard has proven a great marketing tactic for many wineries. Lisa Riley finds many pros and few cons in making an investment in wine tourism

Getting online: Keeping up with the Amazons

Published: 17 July, 2017

Pick what you want to get from being online and do it well, said our Think Indie, Drink Indie tech experts. Jo Gilbert reports

Buying direct: Pros & cons

Published: 13 July, 2017

It can be a positive move, but there are issues to be weighed up before buying direct. Lisa Riley reports

Majestic’s buying evolution sees rise in own-label efforts

Published: 13 July, 2017

Just under 5% of the group’s sales are now in own-label ranges and a pioneering spirit in this area means there’s more to come, says Nigel Huddleston

The psychology of selling

Published: 12 July, 2017

Think Indie, Drink Indie’s opening discussion explored ways in which merchants can best use merchandising, marketing and experiential events to maximise sales potential.

Vindependents flying high

Published: 05 July, 2017

Two years after its inception, indie merchants buying group Vindependents is thriving. Lisa Riley catches up with managing director Jessica Hutchinson

The training game

Published: 29 June, 2017

Good staff training on drinks service can be affordable, flexible, motivate staff and pay dividends within months for any business. Andrew Catchpole reports