From employee initiatives to welfare in the supply chain, looking after people is becoming big business, finds Nigel Huddleston  The discourse around sustainability in the drinks industry usually revolves around the tangible and material aspects of being green, such as energy consumption and packaging. But companies are increasingly recognising that commitments to improving the work experiences of their employees can make an important contribution…

The owners of drinks shop and deli Grape to Grain have announced the closure of the Ramsbottom venue. In a post on Instagram, the hybrid retailer said: “After five years we have finally been forced to pull the plug on our Ramsbottom branch of Grape to Grain. The usual combination of rising costs and dwindling sales in a faltering Rammy market mean we simply cannot…

The latest issue of Drinks Retailing is here, and so is our annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the Drinks Industry. As voted for by some of the top names in the trade, the list comprises 100 people who have innovated, pushed the industry forward, addressed injustices in the drinks industry or used their influence to benefit the drinks retailing…

Online wine merchant Laithwaites has launched a new ad campaign across TV, radio and social channels. The activation is inspired by founder Tony Laithwaite’s belief in “selling winemakers, not just wine” and that “wine tastes better when it’s from people you know”.   Laithwaites said several of the company’s producers and buyers feature in the new ad.  James Morrison, head of brand at Laithwaites, said:…

Who is drinking low and no-alcohol drinks and when are they drinking them, asks Felicity Carter When The Guardian headlined on the very last day of 2022 that the French were “leading way in alcohol-free drinks boom” there was outrage on social media – but not because the French were turning away from their traditional drinks. “Ahem, Guardian,” tweeted Laura Willoughby, founder of the Club…

Yesterday, UK spirits distributor Mangrove announced that it had been acquired by Martinique-based conglomerate GBH. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, sees London-based Mangrove join Spiribam, which coordinates all of the spirits activities at GBH. John Coe, majority shareholder and co-founder of Mangrove, will leave the business, while Nick Gillett, co-founder and current managing director, will remain at the helm. Gillett will…

In the 10 years since Dry January began, drinking habits have become more diverse and there’s no longer a simple polarisation between teetotallers and drinkers. Low and no-alcohol drinks aren’t just for the sober, and consuming moderately is front of mind for many people. Does tapping into this new complexity bring a mass-market opportunity or is low/no still a niche category?  Hayley Spencer, account…