Shoppers waiting for Christmas deals before spending says Nielsen

Consumers are increasingly holding back on their grocery shopping and waiting for Christmas deals to come in to play as the performance of the UK's major supermarkets declined for the third successive 12-week period, according to the latest statistics from retail analysts Nielsen.

Producers urged to push sweeter sparkling wines in China

The paltry sparkling market in China could be significantly enlarged by promoting sweeter sparkling wines, according to leading professionals engaged in the country.

Social media is "essential" for brands looking to break in to Chinese wine market

A social media presence in China should now be considered an "essential part" of any wine brands marketing strategy in the country, according to analysts Wine Intelligence.

Independent Wine Crew joins forces to help each other run better businesses

Diageo hopes to prop up United Spirits deal by selling "bulk" of Whyte & Mackay

Diageo is offering to sell off a "bulk" of its Whyte & Mackay whisky brands in order to address concerns the Office of Fair Trade (OFT) has had over competition issues in the British whisky market.

North west's Michelin starred restaurant Fraiche goes on the market

One Michelin star chef, Marc Wilkinson, has put his Wirral-based 12-cover restaurant Fraiche on the market.

Treasury Wine Estates and Accolade sign further bottling agreement in California

Treasury Wine Estates has signed a further deal this week with Accolade Winesto provide packaging and production services for several brands based in California, including its Geyser Peak, Atlas Peak and XYZin brands.

Online grocery sector set to increase by 123% in the next five years

Online grocery sales are set to grow by a staggering 123% to be worth £14.6 billion by 2018, according to the Institute of Grocery Distribution.

Bowmore offers limited edition 50-year whisky for £16,000 a bottle

Bowmore, founded in 1779 and Islay's first producer of single malt Scotch whisky, is releasing 200 bottles of limited edition, 50-year-old single malt, for £16,000 per bottle.

Port houses stung further by increased costs in brandy says Symington Family Estates

Port producers continue to struggle with the large increases in wine brandy used in the port making that is putting serious pressure on their cost base, according to Symington Family Estatesone of the biggest players in the sector.

Morrisons full online grocery offer to go live on January 10

Morrisons has confirmed its first home delivery online grocery service will go live on January 10 which promises to make full use of its partnership with online specialist retailer Ocado.

One alcohol free day a week makes no difference hears Wine Vision debate

Having one alcohol free day per week has no health benefits, according to a leading doctor.

Personalised marketing is key to future wine sales says Amazon at Wine Vision

Personalised marketing, customer reviews and product comparisons are key to successfully selling alcohol online, according to Amazon.

Christophe Bernard to become new chief executive officer at JF Hillebrand Group

Christophe Bernard will be replacing Gerard Desbois as chief executive officer at JF Hillebrand Group, the global drinks logistics company, from January 1, 2014. Desbois, who has been chief executive since 2000 will be joining the company's supervisory board.

Marks & Spencer to launch carbon neutral PET Beaujolais Nouveau

Marks & Spencer is set to launch what it claims is the first carbon neutral Beaujolais Nouveau. The 2013 vintage is to be bottled in PET and launched, in line with tradition, on the third Thursday of November (21). 

Go direct and get ambassadors for your brand hears Wine Vision

Selling wine direct to the consumer is one of the best ways of creating brand ambassadors, according to the wine trade.

Wine Vision Live News Blog: Why wine is integral to Amazon's growth strategy

Amazon has its sights firmly set on the wine and alcoholic drinks sector as it sees the "consumables" sector as a vital part of its future growth strategy.

Wine Vision News: Wine trade should experiment more with temporary products, says Absolut packaging boss

Wine businesses can be more creative with packaging and products, says one of the biggest names in the spirits world.

Wine Vision News: On-trade needs big shake-up to boost wine sales

Restaurants should drop sommeliers and offer customers the chance to send bottles back if they don't like them, say on-trade experts.

Wine Vision Live News Blog: Social media is as much about listening as taking part

Social media allows us all to be "flys on the wall" at the water coolers of every office in the country, according to Alex Myers of PR and brand consultancy Manifest speaking at today's Wine Vision conference in London.