Reduce, reuse, recycle. The slogan first launched in the 1970s captured the zeitgeist of a generation newly aware of the dangers facing the planet. It spawned ad campaigns, inspired classroom lessons, and adorned an array of packaging. But could it be time for a slogan refresh?Our collective desire to recycle has stagnated – in the UK at least. According to local authority figures, 2022-23…

Last week, Barbie star Margot Robbie came to London to launch her gin, Papa Salt. In an intimate tasting and Q&A session alongside fellow founders – husband Tom Ackerley and friends Charlie Maas, Regan Riskas and Josey McNamara – Robbie talks about brand creation, salty seadogs and roasted wattleseeds    Margot Robbie’s first foray into creating her own gin was actually years ago,…

The temptation for drinks producers to take advantage of last year’s changes in duty rates isunderstandable, with lower rates introduced for products between 1.3% and 3.4% abv, and between 3.5% and 8.4%.Since then we’ve seen existing brands lower their abvs and new ones enter the mid-strength space, while a small number were already well placed to benefit.While some had presumably identified some consumer demand…

With news cycles full of environmental disasters, it’s unsurprising that shoppers have become far more aware of and knowledgeable about the issue of sustainability. Many consumers are prioritising a new set of needs and beginning to think more critically about their role in the world and impact on the planet. Beer, wine and spirits producers find themselves in a great position to attract such…

In May 2018 Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol at a rate of 50p per unit. The scheme aimed to save lives, reduce hospital admissions, and improve the overall health of the population. The Scottish government has…

In April, Brown and her team released Strathearn’s first single malt whisky under Douglas Laing ownership, after the company bought the Highland site in 2019. She discusses life at one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland STRATHEARN IS CLAIMED TO BE ONE OF THE FEW DISTILLERIES TO USE MARIS OTTER MALT. WHY IS THAT?  Many other distilleries are chasing numbers,…

In late 2023, Bestway launched its first Costcutter Wine Rack hybrid store. The move followed the roll out of several Costcutter Bargain Booze hybrids. Lucy Britner caught up with Bestway’s retail director Jamie Davison at last week’s showcase in Coventry to get an update on all things hybrid Drinks Retailing: How many…