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. One-way systems, social distancing and masks have all contributed to a different experience in stores. The impact isn’t just on how we shop, but who is doing the shopping. A survey of our Nielsen…

As from today the UK is now in lockdown, for the second time this year. This of course is devastating news specifically for the on-trade, and those that supply this sector, especially with Christmas looming. Last December was worth £2.89 billion to the on-trade, according to CGA data, and November wasn’t far behind with £2.29 billion. Many in the industry estimate the November and December…

The not-so-glamorously named bag-in-box is a popular format for wine in many countries but in the UK it has often been regarded as a value option, with the wine inside considered to be of a lower quality than bottled alternatives. It’s the perfect size for a small gathering and yet in the last decade it’s unlikely to have featured at many UK dinner parties. However,…

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. As a fellow Master of Wine (MW) and a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) educator and employee, I want to present my own viewpoint. WSET is not the only organisation offering wine education globally; clearly, I can only respond from…

Protecting our people and planet: How retailers can navigate safety and sustainability during a global pandemic By Sunny Mirpuri, Commercial Director, Off-Trade at Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I With safety and protection front of mind for retailers, businesses and individuals alike, the global market for packaging has been projected to grow by 5.5% during the pandemic – driven by an increased…

Keeping spirits up: How Covid-19 has fuelled alcohol innovation By Graham Gibson, co-founder and director, Alcohol Solutions When an economy is in recession it can leave little opportunity for sector innovation – and yet innovaiton is exactly what is currently happening within the drinks industry to great success. As consumer lifestyles have significantly changed in response to the pandemic, many big brands and micro-distilleries have…

It’s been just over two months since the on-trade began to reopen. During this time, Eat Out to Help Out was introduced to encourage people back into cafés and restaurants, and it resulted in 64 million meals being bought under the scheme. While alcohol was prohibited from the discount, it was nonetheless an important factor for the sector and it succeeded in generating footfall back…