The government’s reformed alcohol duty regime cranks up on August 1, bringing the biggest increases in alcohol tax for five decades, with spirits, still wine and fortified wine among the hardest hit. Drinks industry hopes of a reprieve from the changes evaporated in the summer heat. The revamp will see the established system of taxing alcoholic drinks by type replaced by one…

In our annual sustainability issue, we’re taking a deep dive into the latest industry initiatives as drinks producers and retailers alike look to put the planet first.  As sustainable packaging becomes a priority for many brands, Christine Boggis explores the impact of recycled plastic wine bottles on ocean pollution (pages 19 – 22). Turning to sustainability credentials, Lucy Britner investigates why some drinks…

Wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd hosted its first ever producer forum last week with a focus on how the wine industry can work towards a more sustainable future. Held at London’s Bafta on June 29, the forum –  ‘Our Future Is Now’ – brought together 60 producers from across eight countries to discuss the latest sustainability practices in winemaking. The event was also…

Vina Sol wine has launched a giveaway for upcoming festival Kew the Music (July 11 to 16), giving Drinks Retailing readers the chance to win a pair of tickets. Vina Sol – produced by Torres – is the official wine partner of the week-long festival which will be held in the Kew botanical gardens. Attendees will be able to try a selection of Torres’…

Beer, wine and spirits saw an uplift in sales this month according to the latest data from NIQ, while UK supermarkets also experienced storewide sales increases.  Overall, UK supermarkets saw a 12.3% rise in Total Till sales in the four weeks ending May 20, 2023 compared to April 2023. Coronation week, in particular, resulted in a 17.6% increase in supermarket sales as consumers…

The UK government has announced a decision to temporarily exclude Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) from the Internal Market Act 2020, which will allow the scheme to launch next year. As part of the announcement, the government confirmed that glass will be excluded from the Scottish scheme. Scotland’s DRS is to start in March 2024, while other UK nations won’t launch schemes until 2025.

“Wine businesses like those here today have been able to weather the events of the last few years, not because of what the government has done to help them, but in spite of the obstacles the government has put in their path,” said Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association. Speaking at London Wine Fair 2023, Beale discussed the…