Industry Insights

Australian Wine Challenges Perceptions in Italy

Australian wines have challenged the views of leading wine experts at this year’s VinItaly in Verona – Italy’s biggest annual wine fair. The screw cap in Italy is generally perceived as inferior to cork, but Australian wines, which are primarily bottled with screw cap, are beginning to change views in the country. At VinItaly last … Continued

March 31, 2015

State of the Nation from Shopper Tracker

Shopper Tracker revealed the latest findings from its 2015 State of the Nation report to the industry yesterday. Shopper Tracker research provides an industry standard in understanding and applying shopper behaviour and needs into the heart of supplier/retailer joint planning and growth.   Below are the key findings from the 2015 State of the Nation … Continued

March 26, 2015

Food for Thought – Exporting to China

Dan Traucki’s words on exporting to China. Now that the Australian dollar has dropped significantly, it is a good time to consider exporting wine to China and indeed the rest of Asia, as the potential over time is enormous. For those who are new to exporting, the first step is to get an export licence … Continued

March 10, 2015

Women in drinks Strengthens its Solidarity in the Australian Drinks Industry with International Women’s Day and the Formation of its First Board

The third annual ‘Women in drinks’ International Women’s Day Lunch took place this week on Wednesday March 4.  Near 300 women and men from across the drinks industry joined at Doltone House, Sydney to celebrate the globally recognised day and to hear Catherine DeVrye – former Australian Executive Woman of the Year, give a powerful and emotive speech … Continued

March 5, 2015

Is there Space for Private Label on Your Shelves?

According to Nielsen, the days of modest and cheap private label products have passed, and consumer support for store brands is increasing both globally and locally. Look around supermarkets and liquor stores today and you see gourmet hams and award-winning wines increasingly sporting a house brand or exclusive brand label. Private labels are no longer … Continued

March 5, 2015

Woolworths Liquor Restructures Senior Management

Woolworths has announced significant changes to senior management roles in both its Food and Liquor businesses today. The most significant change sees Brad Banducci, previously Director of Liquor at Woolworths, appointed as Managing Director of the Australian Food and Liquor business. Woolworths Chief Executive Officer, Grant O’Brien said today: “We have appointed a new leadership … Continued

February 27, 2015

Ginstronomy – Innovation in a Flat Market

At the end of last year, Raj Nagra, Global Brand Ambassador of 13 years for Bombay Sapphire was in Australia, supporting the launch of the brand’s latest initiative here – Project Botanicals. Project Botanicals was a unique activation run by the brand between mid-November to the beginning of December, which invited consumers to its pop-up … Continued

February 25, 2015

Positive Forecasts for Hunter Valley 2015 Vintage Despite Rain

Despite concern over heavy rainfall in the Hunter Valley three weeks ago, the region reports positive forecasts. Since the rain passed, the Hunter Valley has experienced temperate (26-28 degrees) weather. Although still cooler than the region’s typical vintage standard, a good strong breeze has dried out tightly bunched fruit, avoiding disease, while the warming temperatures … Continued

February 12, 2015