Europe Intelligence Wire articles from March 2008

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from March 2008

Sales drop 10 per cent but independents 'optimistic'.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: OLN news team Independent wine merchants remain optimistic about their prospects for the coming year despite an alarming 10 per cent decline in sales, OLN can reveal. According to exclusive...

Government threatens 'wo strikes and out' law.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Retailers who twice sell alcohol to children could face losing their licence under new laws proposed by the government. The tougher approach was announced by secretary of state for culture Andy Burnham as the...

Feedback.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Don' blame the off-trade - blame the boozy bars I have read and reread the reports of government attempts to tar the off-trade with the brush of responsibility for binge drinking. Worst of all was a recent quote...

Less enforcement, more balance.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) There are parts of the government's review of the Licensing Act that are balanced and sensible. In particular, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport Andy Burnham has recognised that extended opening hours...

Three years on, what's changed?
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) As the DCMS published its review of the Licensing Act 2003, the media and politicians whipped up another storm of controversy about exactly what the law has achieved. There is no question that the old,...

Go wild in the country.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) At the recent SITT events, the OLN forum highlighted the importance of customer tastings to promot e business. In fact, tastings are the single best way of increasing footfall and will usually provide an increase in...

MARKET MONITOR A graphic guide to the off-trade.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) In 2007, Verdict estimate d that the Big Four - Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons - accounted for 65.4 per cent of the AGBP118.2 billion grocery market, up from 63.6 per cent in 2006, and grew their sales...

Shop thieves are wising up to penalties.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) With all the current fuss concerning under-age purchases and antisocial behaviour, shoplifting is fast becoming aAforgotten crime. Noises coming from government that store theft should no longer be dealt with by...

Minimising the risk to staff.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Q I'm due to open an off-licence on the edge of a city centre next month, in an area that has had past problems with robbery. What procedures can I put in place to protect staff? A The Union of Shop, Distributive...

the forum.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Q Is it possible for a non-drinker to work in a wine shop? Could I be accused of prejudice by vetoing their appointment or is wine appreciation an essential skill of the job? BF, London A In this job I truly believe...

Providing staff with training will help your business and needn' cost the earth.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Q I run a small independent wine shop, and would like my staff to be properly trained. I'm not sure I can afford to put them through WSET courses - what else is available? A You will have to take into account your...

Beck's veers towards TV for latest ads.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) A new set of ads for Beck's Vier hit TV screens this week during coverage of Champions League football on ITV. A 30-second ad with the strapline "different by choice" is targeted at 18 to 34-year-old men, and...

Tesco price call is a 'PR stunt'.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Laura Clark Independent drinks shops have lent their support to idea of government-set minimum pricing - but comments by supermarkets including Tesco on the issue have been labelled a PR stunt. Lucy...

In Brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Bargain Booze profits satisfy Bargain Booze made pre-tax profits of AGBP10.6 million in the year to April 30 2007, a fall on the previous year. Directors said they were "satisfied with the results for the year",...

Educational beer show aims to woo 10,000 consumers.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) London's first international educational consumer beer event is to hit the capital in September. Newly formed events company Copper Tun is to run Beer Exposed at the Business Design Centre in Islington on Sept...

Davenport into the OLN hot seat.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Off Licence News has appointed Rosie Davenport as its new editor. She returns to OLN, which she first joined as deputy news editor in 2001. Davenport was promoted to drinks editor of sister title The Grocer,...

Winemaking in the battle fields.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) You hear the argument less frequently than you used to, but a significant number of people still believe that wine, like sport, has nothing to do with politics. It was a fiction that was peddled, invariably by...

Laithwaites boost to South America.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Emma Eversham Laithwaites is almost doubling the number of Chilean and Argentinian wines it lists this year to meet increasing demand for South American styles. Last year, sales of Chilean wine at...

Five minute focus Thierry's commercial director, Matthew Dickinson.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) California dreaming California is a hugely missed opportunity. We've just signed a deal with 585 Wine Partners of Sonoma to promote and distribute Red Truck, Picket Fence and Steelhead - our first Californian wine...

New countries join the Blossom Hill stable to encourage experimentation.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Percy Fox is broadening its Blossom Hill offering beyond California by adding six wines from three other wine-producing countries. The selection will comprise a Pinot Grigio and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Italy, a...

SITT is big success with independents.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) More than 600 visitors, mainly independent wine merchants, visited the Specialist Importers Trade Tastings in London and Manchester last week. Organiser JK Marketing presented ViniPortugal with the 2008 SITT...

Call for support from suppliers.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Suppliers should do more to support the independent trade, Ruth Yates, of Cheshire wine merchant Corks Out, told delegates at the Manchester SITT seminar. She called on suppliers to draw up a strategy for the...

News in brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) l Devon merchant Christopher Piper Wines has warned customers that prices will rise significantly this year regardless of what happens in the Budget. "For the first time in nearly 12 years the UK wine trade and its...

New World 'nerves' mean independents stick to France.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: OLN news team France is still the most important country for the UK's independent wine merchants - but its dominance of the sector appears to be slipping, according to exclusive OLN research. Our...

Wholesale interest is on the increase.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Almost three quarters of independent wine merchants now have wholesaling interests, according to OLN's survey of 200 retailers in the sector. Of those questioned, 73 per cent said they now function as...

A stylish selection.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) This year's France Under One Roof tasting - which gives the drinks trade the chance to taste wines from the UK's leading specialist French importers - will take place in both London (March 19) and Manchester (March...

How retires as Majestic boss.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Rebecca Evans Majestic chief executive Tim How is to retire after 19 years in the role. Chief operating officer Steve Lewis will take over as boss of the specialist drinks retailer later this year,...

Coors reshuffle creates new roles.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Coors sales director John Holberry will be replaced by two people following his move to Magners Great Britain. The brewer has decided to split the sales director role into two when Holberry leaves the company for...

Sunshine state on show.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Some 300 wineries - including new arrivals Vinum Exports, Dancing Coyote, Heck Estates and Michael-David Winery - will be showing their wares at the annual Wine Institute of California tasting in London on March 10....

Gaymers pears up with music.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Christine Boggis Constellation's Gaymer Cider Company is launching a pear variant as part of a AGBP4Amillion investment in its over-ice bottled cider, Gaymers, this year. The company is also running a...

Asian beers taken to the Max.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Pierhead Purchasing has boosted its Asian beer range with Max Prime, one of Korea's best-selling premium beers. The 4.5 per cent abv lager is brewed in the Hite Brewery, which Pierhead says is Korea's biggest...

Beer in brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) l Beverage Brands is piloting a premium bottled cider. Cracked is a 4.5 per cent abv brand in pear and apple flavours, and it is being trialled in Northern Ireland and the on-trade. Marketing director Karen Salters...

Heineken rolls out the barrel for spring.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Heineken is rolling out its 5-litre DraughtKeg across the off-trade ahead of a major sales push in spring and summer. The keg has been on trial in Sainsbury's, Threshers and Makro since last summer, and Heineken...

Miller introduces bottles with twist.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Miller Genuine Draft drinkers can get rid of their bottle openers thanks to the beer's new twist-off cap. Miller Brands is backing the repackaging with an eight-week campaign in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow...

Ultra-premium tequilas square up to the UK market.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Laura Clark A pair of premium aged tequilas have been launched in the UK in a bid to drive sales of the spirit outside the US. California-based Partida Tequila and Las Vegas-based The PatrAn Spirits...

Distil announces guest speakers.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) International spirits fair Distil has teamed up with UK-based network of speakers Taste & Flavour to host a series of blind tastings and educational seminars. Designed to offer "industry insight and specialist...

Koko Kanu design celebrates heritage.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Coconut rum Koko Kanu has been relaunched in revamped packaging. The makeover aims to emphasise the brand's Jamaican roots by featuring two of the island's national symbols on the label - a swallow-tailed...

Arran whiskies look to new UK agent to develop sales.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Malcolm Cowen has been appointed UK agent for the Isle of Arran Whiskies range. Previously distributed by Cellar Trends, the portfolio includes The Arran Malt 10 Year Old, The Arran Malt Wood Finish Series, The...

In brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) l The packaging for Glengoyne Burnfoot has caught judges' eyes in theAWine & Spirit Design Awards, winning a gold medal and the Best DarkASpirit award. The premium whiskyAwas praised by Wine & Spirit magazine for...

Golden age for aged rum.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) The British may be some way off the Caribbean custom of blessing the foundations of a new house with rum, but the region's favourite spirit is at last starting to gain credibility in the UK . Within the category...

Walkers set to offer holiday discounts.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Walkers is rolling out what it says is its biggest ever on-pack promotion. The Brit Trips initiative offers consumers AGBP5 million worth of discounts and offers on day trips, holidays and pub lunches across the...

Hula Hoops' health values improved.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) United Biscuits has upped the health credentials of Hula Hoops. From this week, the core range will be free from artificial colours, flavours and monosodium glutamate. The move follows a healthy overhaul of the...

Tropicana targets healthy consumers.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Pepsi Co has extended its Tropicana rangeAwith a sparkling variant. Tropicana Spirit is a blend of 70 per cent fruit juice and 30 per cent lightly sparkling mineral water. Each bottle contains one of the...

Mars revives classic ad slogan.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Mars is hoping for a hot summer as it launches two ice cream products, both inspired by confectionery brands. The Galaxy Vanilla & Chocolate Temptation cone is made from dairy ice cream with chocolate ripples,...

In brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) l Highland Spring chief executive Joe Beeston OBE has died. Beeston, who joined the Perthshire-based company in 1992, died in hospital on Feb 25 surrounded by family following a battle with lung cancer. Beeston was...

Easier to get a grip on Coca-Cola.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Coca -Cola Enterprises has changed the shape of its 50cl bottle to makeAit easierAfor consumers to hold. It is the first major change to the bottle design in 23 years and has been dubbed the "contour bottle "...

Not just a draughts man.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Harveys of Lewes, the East Sussex brewer with a 50-strong pub estate and an army of occasionally fanatical devotees, is virtually absent from the off-trade. But its brewery shop is one of the most popular stores in...

UK brews in Costcutter locals.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Christine Boggis Costcutter hopes to stock beers from every UK brewery in its local shops. The convenience chain has set up a number of deals with brewers and is in talks with the Society of...

Cellar Door disbanded in shake-up.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Constellation has dropped 22 New World brands in a shake-up of its premium wine portfolio. From April 1 Cellar Door - Constellation's New World premium wine division - will no longer exist. Californian brands...

Suppliers warn of 'very tough' year.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Cost pressures could force some wine companies out of business this year if they are not properly prepared, top suppliers have warned. In an interview with OLN (page 22), Thierry's commercial manager Matthew...

Full steam ahead for Tiger campaign.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Tiger Beer is launching a poster campaign to highlight the lager's provenance and create a nostalgic picture of 1932 Singapore , when Tiger was first brewed. The posters will be a series of illustrations, in...

In Brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Signature celebration Balvenie Distillery malt master David Stewart has created a signature whisky to celebrate his 45th year in the industry. The limited release 12 Year Old Balvenie Signature single malt Scotch...

COMPETITION.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Kapuziner wheat beer, from the beer city Kulmbach, is brewed according to time-honoured monastery techniques, so wheat-beer lovers can experience "original pleasure". Beer is a living tradition in Kulmbach. For...

Dates for your diary.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) March 13 Wines of South Africa John Platter Tasting, the Reading Room, South Africa House, London (claudia@winesofsa.com 020 8947 7171) March 13 The Benevolent Ball, the Dorchester, London...

Top Tip.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) "I thought your readers might be interested in hearing about the success we've had with our latest green scheme. Just before Christmas we starting selling wicker baskets as an alternative to plastic bags. Despite...

Cartoons to end all binge-drinking.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Et tu Brute? As if the government and the cops and the pub trade and the thought police weren' enough, the latest attack on off-licences has come from the Society of Independent Brewers - the very people working to...

TALKING HEADS.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) When did you first develop a passion for wine? When my father brought wine back from foreign business trips. We used to have a glass with a Sunday roast in the days when it was considered posh to have a wine on the...

Youngest MW joins team in Waitrose BWS reshuffle.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Laura Clark Waitrose has recruited a buyer for German, Eastern European, North American and English wines. Ken Mackay MW - the youngest current Master of Wine - will join the BWS department on March...

Tesco's ale marked out for quality.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) The first alcoholic drink in a UK supermarket to carry the Red Tractor quality assurance mark has launched in Tesco. Warwickshire-based Purity Brewing Company's 4.8 per cent abv Farmers Harvest Ale in 50cl...

Higher tax call for superstrengths.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Fifty MPs have signed an Early Day Motion calling on the government to tax superstrength lagers at a higher rate, while some London retailers have taken them off shelves voluntarily. Drinks retailers in...

In Brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Light side of cider Scottish & Newcastle UK has launched a lower-calorie version of over-ice cider Bulmers Original. Bulmers Light has 4.5 per cent abv - the same alcohol level as Original - but 30 per cent fewer...

Distillers plan capacity boost.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Laura Clark Several major distillers are expanding their production facilities to meet a global increase in demand for Scotch whisky. Chivas Brothers is reopening its Braeval distillery, near...

Off-trade props up flagging Magners.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Magners' international sales volumes dipped 15 per cent in the year to Feb 29 despite a strong performance in the UK off-trade, producer C&C Group has said. The brand's total UK volumes slumped 28 per cent in the...

Vertical shifts into Robinson range.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Vertical Drinks managing director Steve Holt has joined Old Tom brewer Frederic Robinson and taken his portfolio of imported brands, including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Veltins Pilsner and Le Gauloise, into the...

In Brief.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Test success for Colne... Police have praised drinks shops in Colne, Lancs, for a 100 per cent test purchase pass rate. An under-age girl was refused alcohol at all 12 outlets tested in the town, in a joint...

Young shun Scotch.
March 7, 2008... (From Off Licence News) The UK is behind the rest of Europe in attracting a younger audience to whisky, according to a top distiller, speaking at a consumer tasting event. Bowmore master blender Iain McCallum said: "The average age of...

It's you a fit and fabulous!
March 12, 2008... (From The Portsmouth Evening News) A healthy living advice day is designed to encourage and help people improve their lifestyles. The event will be held in the town's shopping precinct and there will be representatives of fitness clubs,...

In Brief.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Makeover for Three Barrels First Drinks Brands is looking to drive sales of Three Barrels French brandy with new packaging and a marketing campaign. Existing drinkers will be targeted through a series of in-store...

Push to make Grant's no 3.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Byline: Laura Clark William Grant & Sons is spending AGBP3.8Amillion in the UK to back the launch of Grant's new-look bottle. The push is aimed at "propelling Grant's to podium position" as the number-three...

AlizA birthday bash tours UK cities.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Cognac-based spirit AlizA is teaming up with MTV to celebrate its 21st birthday. AlizA Remixed sees the brand joining some of the biggest DJ names on the international music scene with a tour of five city...

In brief.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) l Diageo has finalised the details of its AGBP1.4 million marketing campaign to celebrate next year's 400th anniversary of the granting of Bushmills' original licence to distil. The push will include anniversary...

Jameson breaks with tradition.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Pernod Ricard UK is spending AGBP1.5Amillion on a n ad campaign for Jameson Irish Whiskey. Designed to appeal to 25 to 34-year-old men, the push will include print ads in consumer magazines and the nationals....

Corky's latches on to cafA society.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Global Brands has added a cappuccino variant to its Corky's range. Corky's Cappuccino is the tenth flavour to be released under the vodka shot brand and will be available to the off-trade from this Easter. The...

New Doritos ad will be out of this world.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Laura Clark An ad for Doritos is to become the first commercial broadcast into space. In a AGBP2.3 million on-pack campaign, Walkers is inviting consumers to create a 30-second TV ad on the theme of "how people...

Water sells itself on green credentials.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) A new bottled water brand from England is targeting consumers looking to cut their carbon footprint. Iceni Water is bottled at source in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, at an AGBP11Amillion plant. The water, which is...

In brief.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) l McVitie's Penguin is offering consumers the chance to adopt a penguin as part of its partnership with environmental charity the World Wildlife Fund. The company hopes to raise AGBP250,000 over 12 weeks by donating...

Quintessentially English flavours.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) General Mills UK has extended HAagen-Dazs with a limited edition variety. In a bid to boost luxury ice cream sales during the summer, Raspberries & Meringue will be available for six months from now. The...

Twiglets branch out into new packs.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) United Biscuits UK has repackaged its Twiglets range to help consumers understand the brand's nutritional credentials. The new-look 25g packs will feature tick boxes saying: less than 100 calories, 79 per cent...

Energising boost.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) GlaxoSmithKline is spending AGBP8 million on advertising its Lucozade Sport range. The push is designed to show how the brand "enhances sporting performance" and will kick-off with TV ads on Sky Sport and all...

Metrosexual makeover.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Never believe what you read on the internet. Erik Laan, owner of the Vineking in Reigate, Surrey, is not Danish. He's half Dutch, half Finnish, brought up in Redhill, and has a thoroughbred Home Counties accent. ...

Dates for your diary.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) March 26 Loire & Rh Ane Valleys Tasting, Royal Society of Arts, John Adam Street, London (philippa.sydney@wanadoo.fr) March 26 Bordeaux: to blend or not to blend that is the question , WSET School, London...

Top Tip.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) "My customers love hearing about their purchase histories. They'll frequently pop in and ask what they bought last Easter, or in a particular month as a birthday present for a wine-loving friend. I try to keep a...

NEW oLN CROSSWORD Number 22.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) ACROSS 3 Deal with by applying remedies (5); 6 Side-view portrait (7); 7 Pudding (6); 8 Roadside inn (5); 9 A lift (8); 12 Work together into a dough (5); 14 Drag the feet while walking (5); 15 Opiate (8); 18...

COMPETITION.
March 21, 2008... (From Off Licence News) Cockspur is a blended golden rum from the CaribbeanAisland of Barbados, where it has been produced since 1884. It is an expert blend of superior rum, aged in oak barrels to smooth and mellow the spirit. This...