Multiple Retailer - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Multiples: Shoppers to pay price for duty

Published: 07 August, 2023

With wine duty set to increase by 20% and spirits duty by more than 10%, how might supermarkets offset these costs? James Bayley reports.

Food prices in hospitality surge again as supermarket prices ease

Published: 31 July, 2023

Inflation in hospitality rose again in June to 22.6% YOY, just shy of the record high of 22.9% in December 2022, as measured by CGA.

Multiples: The rise of low-intervention wine

Published: 17 July, 2023

Interest in organic and natural wine is growing. James Bayley asks why more can’t be found in supermarkets.

Aldi launches £2.67 vineyard tours

Published: 19 June, 2023

Supermarket Aldi has partnered with Lyme Bay Winery, the producers behind its Specially Selected Bowler & Brolly English Sparkling wine, to launch an exclusive Specialbuy Vineyard Experience.

Co-op lets customers do the talking

Published: 14 June, 2023

James Bayley reports back from the Co-op’s latest tasting and hears what’s up the multiple retailer’s sleeve for the future of its wine range.

Scottish DRS delayed until 2025

Published: 07 June, 2023

The Scottish Government has officially announced a delay to the launch of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until October 2025, following weeks of speculation as to the future of the initiative and a UK-government enforced exemption of glass.

Asda: Adding variety

Published: 23 May, 2023

Asda has appeared quiet on the drinks front of late, but big change has been brewing, as Angela Mount reports.

Majestic raises £200,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

Published: 23 May, 2023

Majestic has raised £200,000 for its charity partner for 2022/23 – the Alzheimer’s Society.

Segura Viudas launches first-to-market premium Cava in Tesco

Published: 19 May, 2023

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava is to launch exclusively in Tesco stores across the UK from Monday 22 May. The listing in Tesco is the first in any global market for this new quality tier.

Asda range shake-up on show at London tasting

Published: 18 May, 2023

As part of a major range and merchandising review, Asda has relaunched and expanded its premium ‘Extra Special’ range, doubling the numbers in the last two years, while increasing sales by over £1.25m year-on-year.

Waitrose trials removing sleeves from wine bottle necks

Published: 25 April, 2023

Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to test selling wine bottles without the familiar plastic and foil sleeves, in a move which forms part of supermarket’s aim to ‘reduce unnecessary packaging’.

Bargain Booze heads down south

Published: 18 April, 2023

As the largest off-licence chain in the UK, what does the future have in store for Bargain Booze and its
390 franchisees? James Bayley reports.

Sustainability Report: The Co-op interview

Published: 18 April, 2023

For decades the Co-op has led the way in ethical trading and renewable energy in the grocery sector. In 2023, how is this reflected in its BWS offering? James Bayley reports.

Pressure on energy and foodservice providers to tackle ‘greedflation’

Published: 14 April, 2023

Industry leaders are calling on Ofgem to force energy suppliers to renegotiate contracts signed with hospitality businesses at the height of the supply crisis, as price inflation continues to rise – and attract criticism – at the biggest FMCG firms, including Tesco.

Cramele Recas rolls out rPET Danube project to UK

Published: 13 March, 2023

Romanian winemaker Cramele Recas is launching first-of-its-kind wine bottles made entirely from recycled plastic recovered from the Danube, targeting Europe and the UK, following a successful trial in Germany.

Amazon makes own-label play

Published: 13 March, 2023

Amazon has already moved into the grocery sector but is now upping its game with a range of own-label wines, finds James Bayley.

Multiples: Delivering options

Published: 15 February, 2023

With reliance on delivery services continuing to rise, James Bayley looks at how Ocado is capitalising on the trend.

Multiples: Keeping wine accessible

Published: 27 January, 2023

Co-op and Asda BWS buyers tell James Bayley how they are attempting to ensure their consumers can continue to enjoy value-for-money wines in the bleak economic landscape.

Paper bottles break supermarket barrier with Sainsbury’s listing

Published: 05 January, 2023

When in Rome (WiR), one of the UK’s leading alt-format wine brands is set to launch its range of recycled paper wine bottles into Sainsbury’s during the first quarter 2023.

Rise of discounters not a threat to established brands

Published: 14 December, 2022

James Bayley finds that despite more consumers opting for own-brand grocery products, for some multiples sales of premium drinks brands have never been stronger.