Conviviality Retail predicts full-year earnings to beat expectations

Franchised off-licence group Conviviality Retail forecasts full year earnings to be slightly ahead of expectations despite flat sales at Bargain Booze for the 52 weeks to April 27.

Proof of age scheme PASS launches new identity card

Proof of Age scheme PASS is launching a new-look card on June 10 which will standardise designs and make recognition easier for retailers.

Bottle Green poaches national account manager from Australian Vintage

Wine importer and distributor Bottle Green as appointed Russell Smith to senior national account manager, with responsibility for two national off-trade customers.

Supermarket moves to sell wines by glass not a "slam dunk"

Moving more into hospitality with wine by the glass sales and casual dining is not a "slam dunk" route to success for the supermarkets.

Laithwaite's appoints former Carphone Warehouse boss as managing director

Tesco's credit rating downgraded to 'negative' by Standard & Poor

The UK's largest retailer Tesco has had its credit rating downgraded by Standard & Poor following a "greater than anticipated" decline in like-for-like sales and lower profitability.

Naked Wines turns to London Stock Exchange to help its next phase of growth

Naked Wines is preparing for the next stage in its rapid growth by joining a London Stock Exchange business support programme.

Harpers Awards announces its finalists for 2014

Restaurants, bars, sommeliers, multiple grocers, drinks websites, independent wine merchants, suppliers and brand owners will all come together on June 2 in the hope of winning a trophy at the Harpers Awards 2014.

Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling launches in Tesco Express

Germany's well-known Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling wine has grown its UK supermarket distribution with a Tesco Express listing at around 1,000 stores.

Retail industry boosted by strong spring and Easter sales

Overall retail sales continue to grow strongly and will pick up further in May, according to the CBI's latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey.

BrewDog to open craft beer shop

BrewDog, the maverick Scottish independent brewer, is looking to bring its definitive edgy style to the high street with the opening of its a retail store, BottleDog, which will specialise in craft beers at its first site in London.  

Tesco offers online shoppers hundreds of pounds a year in savings

Tesco has ramped up the stakes in grocery online retailing by offering potentially hundreds of pounds a year in savings to customers looking to get their shopping delivered to their homes.

Tesco ups casual dining focus as profits slide

Tesco is boosting its store refurbishment programme by opening 100 new Giraffe, Decks and Harris + Hoole outlets in the next year

Waitrose to roll out in-store cafes with wines by the glass

Cafés selling wine by the glass, deli foods and gourmet cheese could become the new norm across the multiple grocers, as Waitrose tests new café formats including a grazing area.

Private label wine prices jump 7.2%, says IRI

The average price of private label wine has shot up by 7.2% in the past year to £4.78, according to data collected by IRI.

Virgin Wines sees "loyal customers" join its Wine Bank

Virgin Wines says strong customer loyalty has encouraged 40,000 of them to join its Wine Bank Scheme, which offers customer 20% discount.

Q&A: Virgin Wines' Jay Wright talks independence, technology and customer loyalty

Virgin Wines chief executive Jay Wright opens up on what's happened since it separated from Direct Wines last year, as well as plans around personalisation and customer loyalty.

Online debate: how different channels are changing the digital landscape of wine online

We all know the importance of communicating and retailing online, but how effective is it? Harpers hosted an "Online Debate" featuring retailers and online specialists at PLB's independent merchants' roadshow in Manchester last month and found supermarkets, independents and even drink apps are changing the digital landscape of wine online.

?Growth of private label wines overtakes brands in multiples

Growth of private label wines is outpacing branded wines, and now accounts for over one-third of wines on offer across the major retailers.

Naked Wines' bond-funded fine wine is ready