Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Insights: Tailoring wine packaging to the consumer

Published: 03 February, 2016

Angela Mount visits Accolade Park and gets an inside look at the how the company creates and develops packaging and merchandising for today's customers.

Insights: On-trade needs to embrace social media to drive footfall and sales

Published: 28 January, 2016

There is a promising shift in the role of social media in the on-trade, but are pubs and bars missing out on a lucrative sales opportunity?

Insights: How can Italy communicate its regional diversity to consumers?

Published: 26 January, 2016

After visiting last week's Borsa Vini Italiani tasting, Justin Keay asks how much the average wine enthusiast really knows about Italy?

Analysis: Catalonia's rebellious Penedès region

Published: 26 January, 2016

In Catalonia, a region that has been actively trying to secede from Spain for the last 300 years, Catalans are nothing if not determined to shake up the staus quo..

Analysis: Suppliers today must be excellent service providers

Published: 25 January, 2016

Consolidation within the industry is happening across many channels and for suppliers to both the on- and off-trade, competing on supplying quality wines at competitive prices is no longer enough.

Insights: New Zealand wine styles and varieties diversify

Published: 21 January, 2016

New Zealand Winegrowers hosted the 35th annual trade tasting in London this week and the over 500 wines that were being poured demonstrated how New Zealand wine producers are looking to diversify the styles and varietals that are being exported. While this may be challenge to get consumers to understand some of the newer style Sauvignon Blancs being produced or take some convincing to get people to try a New Zealand red wine, it is an evolution that is exciting and needed for the wine regions within the country.

Insights: Is Scotch whisky fighting a possible hangover?

Published: 19 January, 2016

Increased competition from American bourbon and Irish whiskey producers are challenging the single malt Scotch whisky category, but could education and brand building initiatives help the category?

Analysis: Non-alcoholic drinks an upsell opportunity for the on-trade

Published: 15 January, 2016

With an increasing number of consumers cutting down on their drinking but not their socialising, Jo Bruce looks at the rise in demand in the on-trade for more exciting non-alcoholic drinks

Insights: Ayo Akintola's keys for success on social media following #WhatTheFox campaign

Published: 14 January, 2016

Ayo Akintola, the managing director of Oddbins, shared some of his recent learnings following the successful social media campaign the quirky retailer launched over the Christmas trading period.

Insights: New Zealand wine no longer just about Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 14 January, 2016

With sales of Sauvignon Blanc dominating the New Zealand category, retailers are encouraging consumers to look at the country's wine offer with a fresh set of eyes.

Interview: Mike James is Aldi's ace in the pack

Published: 13 January, 2016

Mike James, wine buying director at Aldi UK, is driving a category which is driving a discounter at the forefront of the industry. Erin Smith reports on the changing face of its wine range

Insights: Aldi UK launching online wine offer

Published: 13 January, 2016

After a sneak preview of some of the wines in Aldi UK's forthcoming online range, Angela Mount tells all and looks at the discounter's web strategy

Insights: Retailers look back on the Christmas trading period

Published: 12 January, 2016

On the back of the Christmas and new year trading period, Harpers asks suppliers and merchants how Christmas was for them and what they expect looking ahead.

Drinks businesses flex their sharp social media skills

Published: 11 January, 2016

Social media has become a crucial tool in any brand manager's box of tricks and it will become increasingly important in 2016. Erin Smith reports

Insights: Is UK bottling the way forward for bulk wine?

Published: 11 January, 2016

As more and more top-selling wine brands in the UK move their bottling over here, Angela Mount looks at the benefits: does it make more sense to ship in bulk?

Analysis: Trade optimism lifts following festive trading

Published: 08 January, 2016

Consumer confidence is generally on the up and early indications suggest that Christmas delivered a welcome boost to the trade.

Analysis: How Australian wine is changing consumer perceptions

Published: 08 January, 2016

It's high time consumers stop pigeonholing Australia and recognise its rich and diverse winegrowing regions, says Anne Krebiehl MW

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Published: 06 January, 2016

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Analysis: A critical part of Aldi's startegy for success - supplier relationships

Published: 05 January, 2016

Ahead of this month's profile piece in an exclusive interview with Harpers, Mike James, wine buying director of Aldi UK, talks with Angela Mount about his buying strategy and what he looks for in potential partners that has helped him succeed.

ALERT: Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme in Force from 1 January 2016

Published: 24 December, 2015

From the 1 January 2016 HMRC will introduce the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) to tackle alcohol fraud. Cindy Dorrington of Bivonas Law asseses the implication for the trade.