Business & Finance - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Scottish hospitality businesses denied rates relief

Published: 20 December, 2023

Following months of campaigning, leading hospitality bodies are ‘extremely disappointed’ with yesterday’s Budget announcement in Scotland.

Hallgarten acquired by Coterie Holdings

Published: 19 December, 2023

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has been purchased by Coterie Holdings, joining Lay & Wheeler, bonded warehousing Coterie Vaults and wine lender Jera in a growing fine wine portfolio.

Survey reveals 44% of Brits choosing not to dine out this festive season

Published: 18 December, 2023

A new study from Forbes Advisor, the price comparison and financial guidance platform, has found that two in five Brits (44%) are choosing not to dine out this festive period (1 December - 2 January), the same figure it was 12 months ago when the survey was last conducted.

Lidl boasts best-selling wine in three categories

Published: 18 December, 2023

Lidl GB has revealed that it has the bestselling wines across three categories – Montepulciano, Saint Emilion and Nero D’Avola, with prices starting from £5.

Scottish hospitality businesses ‘hang in the balance’ without government support

Published: 18 December, 2023

New analysis has revealed that thousands of Scottish hospitality businesses will be left unsupported if a rates relief isn’t included in the Scottish Budget tomorrow (19 December).

Campari steps into ‘super premium’ cognac category

Published: 15 December, 2023

Campari Group is set acquire Courvoisier from Beam Suntory, adding what the company describes as a “fourth major leg” to its spirits portfolio.

Welsh hospitality calls for business rates relief

Published: 14 December, 2023

UKHospitality Wales has called on the Welsh government to boost beleaguered pubs, hotels and restaurants in Wales and provide vital business rates relief in next week’s Budget.

SMEs owed £22,000 on average in late payments

Published: 13 December, 2023

Following a review of business payments and cash flow, the government has found that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were owed on average £22,000 in late payments in 2022.

Hospitality sales up 4% YOY in November

Published: 13 December, 2023

Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year (YOY) sales growth of 4% in November, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.

BBR achieves 11% sales growth in FY23 Results

Published: 13 December, 2023

Fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR) has announced its financial results for the financial year ending 31 March 2023, reporting a sales growth of 11.1% on the previous year to £254.3m.

Wine Christmas sales uplift driven by inflation

Published: 30 November, 2023

Circana, a leading advisor on consumer trends, has revealed in its ‘12 weeks till Christmas tracker’ an upward trend in wine sales in terms of value.

Unite announces rolling Chivas Brothers strike action across Scotland

Published: 29 November, 2023

Workers union Unite has today (29 November) confirmed that over 500 members at Chivas Brothers distilleries and warehouses across Scotland are set for strike action in the coming weeks.

Trade reflects on ‘mixed-bag’ Autumn Statement

Published: 27 November, 2023

Following rumours of a second duty hike in line with inflation, the government quelled fears by announcing a freeze on alcohol duty in the Autumn Statement last week.

Drinks brands invest in TV advertising

Published: 27 November, 2023

Despite a turbulent year financially for many drinks companies due to factors not limited to inflation, duty hikes and the cost-of-living crisis, some brands are purchasing primetime TV advertising slots in the lead-up to Christmas.

Alcohol duty frozen until 2024

Published: 22 November, 2023

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has quelled fears of a second duty rise this year in this afternoon’s Autumn Budget, by announcing a freeze until August next year.

Government is failing hospitality businesses, public warns

Published: 21 November, 2023

The UK Spirits Alliance (UKSA), representing hundreds of small businesses across the UK, has called on the government to back hospitality and distilleries by freezing duty on spirits at the Autumn Statement.

Spirits sales down 20% after August hikes

Published: 20 November, 2023

Wine and spirit businesses continue to urge the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty at the Autumn Statement.

Alcohol Duty: ‘One tax rise in a year is alarming, two is unacceptable’

Published: 17 November, 2023

Ahead of the Autumn Statement on 22 November, senior figures in the wine industry are voicing their concerns amidst fears of a second alcohol duty rise in the space of four months.

Nc’nean Distillery receives government funding package

Published: 15 November, 2023

Independent Scotch whisky distiller Nc’nean has secured a Virgin Money funding package with the backing of the UK government to help grow the business in North American markets.

Deadline for digital nutritional wine labels in the EU approaches

Published: 13 November, 2023

Digital nutritional wine labels, accessible via QR Codes, will become mandatory in the EU on 8 December, meaning that UK businesses exporting or reexporting to this market have just under one month to ensure compliance.