Both the Wine and Spirit Trade Association and the trade body for New Zealand wine have welcomed the announcement of an agreement in principle for a future UK/New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. “We understand the agreement will mean significant progress for wine, including a specific wine annex,” said Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers. “This will help remove technical barriers to trade and minimise…

The Government needs to “pull out all stops” at Brexit talks to avoid a “no deal Brexit”, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. One the eve of the first formal face to face talks – between the UK’s Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier – the WSTA is pushing for a full negotiated ‘divorce’ settlement. The trade association,…

Sainsbury’s is in talks to buy convenience operator Nisa, a move which would significantly bolster its position against Tesco’s expected merger with Booker. Nisa is reportedly poised to sign an exclusivity agreement with Sainsbury’s, which would temporarily bar the corner shop group from courting other buyers. Nisa, which buys and distributes for more than 2,500 independently-owned stores in the UK, has been working on a…

With Article 50 set to be triggered this week, The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called for a “close working relationship with both government and our European neighbours”, as the UK starts to negotiate its exit from the EU. The WSTA said trade association colleagues across the Channel have vowed to keep Europe’s “special relationship” with the UK wine and spirits industries and…

Conviviality Retail has announced the formation of a new supply agreement with UK wholesaler Palmer & Harvey McLane (P&H). Under the initial two-year agreement, Conviviality will supply P&H’s National Distribution Centre with beers, wines and spirits and P&H will supply tobacco to Conviviality Retail. Conviviality said the agreement will help drive efficiencies in its buying capability while further utilising its nationwide distribution network. Dave Robinson,…

Global drinks giant Diageo has agreed to pay £53 million to Indian entrepreneur Vijay Mallya in return for Mallya’s resignation as chairman of United Spirits. Mallya sold a 54.8% controlling share in the Indian drinks business to Diageo in 2012 for some £1.8 billion. Diageo has been in a dispute with Mallya since late April 2015, when he refused to comply with a request from…

Stella Artois and Budweiser owner AB Inbev has announced it wants to take over SAB Miller, whose brands include Peroni and Grolsch. If the deal goes ahead it would create a global super-brewer that would dominate the world’s beer supply. Based on current share prices, the deal is estimated to be worth around US$250 billion (£161bn), and AB Inbev is expected to…