It is no longer unusual to see queues at convenience stores across Britain and the pandemic has driven people to shop locally and less often, supplemented with online delivery orders.

The assumption when a drinks brand relaunches with a new look is that it’s to sell more stuff.

Thankfully someone came up with a name more glamorous than “chickpea water” and the versatile vegan ingredient aquafaba was born.

Anyone who has been into a supermarket in the eight months since the British public were first instructed to stay at home would agree that the shopping experience has changed significantly.

Back in May (which feels like two years ago) I took the opportunity to reflect on the positive aspects to be taken from the initial lockdown, highlighting the strengths inherent in more traditional independent retail business models and supply chains.

Watching the judges at work during this year’s International Beer Challenge focused my mind on just how much the beer world has changed since the competition was first staged 24 years ago.

Richard Hemming MW's recent article questioned the value of wine education, on the grounds that it neither boosts wine sales nor benefits the consumer.

Protecting our people and planet: How retailers can navigate safety and sustainability during a global pandemic

Keeping spirits up: How Covid-19 has fuelled alcohol innovation

Educating consumers about wine has become such an ingrained objective in the trade that we never question its value.

It’s been just over two months since the on-trade began to reopen.