Beefeater to launch new TV ad campaign

Pernod Ricard has announced a new multi-million-pound marketing campaign for Beefeater starting on 19 April targeting 25-34-year-olds.

Scotch whisky producers celebrate suspension of US single malt tariff

Scotch whisky producers are celebrating after the US government announced it would suspend tariffs on various UK goods for four months.

UK port sales soar in 2020

Port sales in the UK saw impressive category growth throughout 2020, with the largest volume of off-trade sales since 2015.

Tanqueray launches Blackcurrant Royale variant

Tanqueray has kicked off a raft of innovation by launching a Blackcurrant Royale variant made with French blackcurrants, vanilla and black orchid.

Foncalieu trains focus on rosé, ecommerce and innovation

Premium rosé, ecommerce and innovation in packaging will form the bedrock of Foncalieu’s strategy as it bids to enjoy a strong commercial performance in 2021.

Diageo tops up interim dividend after organic sales increase

Diageo managed to grow organic sales by 1% in the six months to December 31 despite suffering from restrictions on the on-trade and travel retail.

Tariff war will cause drinks businesses to go bust, trade bodies warn

Drinks producers will be forced to close their doors and lay off staff after the U.S. ramped up its tariff war with the EU, trade associations have warned.

Kingfisher brewer adapts to new trading conditions

Kingfisher has launched a 6x33cl can format in time for the festive trading period as it bids to ramp up off-trade sales.

Irish whiskey trade group names new chairman

Tullamore DEW brand ambassador John Quinn has been named the new chairman of trade group Drinks Ireland | Irish Whiskey Association.

Bruce Jack discusses South African wine trade's challenges

Renowned South African winemaker Bruce Jack speaks to Drinks International about the challenges the industry has faced this year and its future prospects.

Australia grows wine exports by 4%

Strong demand in the UK and China allowed Australia to increase wine exports by 4% during the 12 months to September 30.

Carlsberg returned to sales growth in Q3

Carlsberg increased its forecast for full-year earnings after enjoying organic volume growth of 2.4% during the third quarter.

Pernod Ricard recovery gathers pace in Q1

Resilient off-trade sales in the USA and Europe helped Pernod Ricard rally during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Trade groups urge EU and US to end tariff war

Eighteen trade associations have joined forces to call for an immediate elimination of the retaliatory tariffs that the US and EU have imposed upon spirits, wine and beer.

Mocktails Brands appoints Craftwork as UK distributor

Mocktails Brands has appointed Craftwork as its UK distributor in a bid to ramp up sales of its premixed alcohol-free cocktails among British consumers.

Diageo shares climb after positive trading update

Diageo stock enjoyed its best session since March after chief executive Ivan Menezes issued a positive trading update ahead of the firm’s annual meeting.

Focus on India: pandemic could usher in lasting change

India, one of the largest spirits consuming and producing countries in the world, has never had it easy when it comes to the matter of alcohol.

BAME Wine Professionals aims to promote diversity in the wine trade

A new online resource is dedicated to shining a light on “wine talent in the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities”.

US hospitality industry revived almost 600,000 jobs in July

The US bar and restaurant industry revived 592,000 jobs across the country in July, according to new statistics from the Bureau of Labor.

Heineken reports 52.5% decrease in half-year earnings

Heineken has reported a 52.5% decline in first-half earnings after the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on its on-trade business.

Diageo pledges $100m to help the global bar trade recover

Diageo has announced a $100 million support package to help the global bar trade get back on its feet as the coronavirus lockdown ends.

Camden Town Brewery creates special pale ale to support the trade

Camden Town Brewery will give away 260,000 pints to UK trade customers in order to help them get back on their feet when pubs reopen.

Cape Wine pushed back to 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic

Wines of South Africa has moved trade show Cape Wine from September 2021 to October 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Campari snaps up 49% stake in Italy's leading online retailer

Campari Group has tied up a €23.4 million deal to purchase a 49% stake in Italy’s leading online wine and spirits retailer.

Bordeaux winemakers determined to provide en primeur campaign

Bordeaux winemakers are pulling out all the stops in a bid to present the trade with an en primeur campaign amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Finland alcohol sales remain steady during pandemic

Alcoholic beverage sales have remained steady in Finland during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new stats from monopoly retailer Alko.

Coronavirus shutdown has little impact on Belgian alcohol consumption levels

A study suggests that alcohol consumption has remained broadly stable during the coronavirus lockdown in Belgium.

Zamora Company explains how brand owners can help the on-trade recover

Spanish producer Zamora Company has reported that wine and spirits sales in China have recovered as the country emerges from a sweeping coronavirus lockdown.

Drinks brands impress social media users during coronavirus crisis

Engagement with alcoholic drinks brands on social media has increased by more than 300% during the coronavirus lockdown, according to social analytics agency ListenFirst.

Diageo halts buyback scheme amid coronavirus pandemic

Diageo has suspended share buybacks for the rest of the year as a result of financial uncertainty sparked by the coronavirus outbreak.

COVID-19 Emergency Fund goes live today

Members of the British drinks trade that have lost their income due to the coronavirus outbreak can apply for a one-off grant worth £250 this week.

US off-trade sales soar while bars begin to reopen across China

The US off-trade has seen soaring sales of wine, spirits and beer as shoppers stocked up ahead of a lengthy coronavirus lockdown, according to Nielsen stats.

Opihr Oriental Spiced unveiled at Imbibe Live

Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.

In-country representation key to wine success in Asia

Attracting younger wine drinkers and in-country representation is key to success in Asia, says research commissioned by Messe Düsseldorf, the company behind ProWein.

LIWF move to Monday for 2013

London International Wine Trade Fair organiser, Brintex, has announced that the 2013 show will now start on the Monday, May 20 instead of the usual Tuesday. The three-day show will therefore finish on the Wednesday, May 22.

Michael Cox is new Vintners' master

Michael Cox has been installed as the 518th Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners for the forthcoming year.

Kleine Zalze hatches independents plan

South African wine estate Kleine Zalze has signalled its intention to target the independent retailing channel in the UK by moving its entire portfolio of wines to Hatch Mansfield.

US recognises cachaça

The US is to officially recognise cachaça as a spirit from Brazil. The sugar cane spirit is currently labelled Brazilian rum in the US.

Brintex optimistic despite LIWF absentees

Events firm Brintex has voiced optimism ahead of this year’s London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil despite the absences of Pernod Ricard, Percy Fox (Diageo’s UK wine division) and PLB.

Mount Gay European ambassador appointed

Mount Gay Rum Distilleries and UK distributor First Drinks have appointed Miguel Smith as European brand ambassador for Mount Gay Rum.

More than 40,000 visit ProWein

The trade wine fair ProWein attracted over 40,000 visitors, according to its organisers Messe Düsseldorf.

Philippines spirits tax appeal rejected

The European Union and the US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) have welcomed a decision that finds the Philippines to be in breach of trade rules when it comes to tax on imported spirits.

Scotland: Industry blasts minimum pricing

A minimum unit price for alcohol set out in today’s (November 1) Scottish government Bill is unlikely to reduce alcohol misuse, will threaten the £3.4 billion whisky industry and will punish moderate drinkers, according to the trade. 

Effect of deep discounting is on the wane in the UK

Deep discounting on wine by UK retailers may be having less impact on consumer behaviour, according to a new report

Brown-Forman hires duty free quartet

Brown-Forman Duty Free has made four senior-level appointments, effective immediately.

Lataille lands UK Olmeca role

Pernod Ricard has appointed bartender and 'tequila expert' Matthias Lataille as UK ambassador for Olmeca Altos.

Glenfiddich mastermind search is on

UK: Glenfiddich has launched the 2011 Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition. The aim of the game is to find the “trade’s most passionate malt enthusiasts”.

Premiumisation driving UK spirits, says First Drinks

Premiumisation is driving UK spirits volume and value growth in the on and off-trade, according to findings by First Drinks.

Aspall invests £4m and restructures business

UK cider producer Aspall is to restructure its business and invest £4m following “40% volume growth” last year.

Morrison Bowmore makes five appointments

Morrison Bowmore Distillers has made five new appointments within its sales and marketing team.