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Scotch whisky company Gordon & MacPhail is to close its wholesale unit, as the company continues to shift its focus to its own spirits.

It’s not every day you find yourself in the charts with Kylie, but James Halliday, Diageo GB’s commercial director for take-home, appeared among this year’s Drinks Retailing Top 100 Most Influential. Here, he talks to Lucy Britner about consumer trends, brand strategy and working with retailers

Wine retailer Vinotopia has opened a new site in the Cotswolds, offering around 400 wines, spirits, beers and ciders as well as a drink-in area. 

American whiskey distillery Buffalo Trace is to open a brand home and shop in Covent Garden, called Buffalo Trace Distillery London.

Online spirits retailer Master of Malt has collaborated with Sainsbury’s to curate the supermarket’s gin range in line with consumer drinking trends. 

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a new set of guidelines on producing whisky in a move to improve product quality with the aim of driving international exports.

Amathus Drinks has shared plans to open two new stores at the beginning of 2024 as the retailer and distributor looks to expand its bricks-and-mortar offering. 

A new report has highlighted the extent of sexism in the whisky industry, with sexual harassment, stereotyping and the gender pay gap among concerns raised by women working in the sector.

Earlier this year, Drinks Retailing travelled to Scotland for the launch of Ardray - a new blended Scotch from Beam Suntory - made using the company's whisky experts in both Scotland and Japan. Here, Lucy Britner catches up with chief blender for Scotch, Calum Fraser

Beam Suntory has revamped the packaging for its Islay Scotch whisky brand, Laphroaig, as it looks to reduce CO2 emissions by 30%.

Scotch whisky exports for the first half of 2023 have shown a small dip in value and a steeper volumes decline, as the industry’s trade organisation points to premiumisation within the category.

British spirits brand Au Vodka is set to work with ecommerce fulfilment platform Huboo as it looks to tap into the direct-to-consumer market. 

The founder of Devon-based Hattiers rum has announced price increases for two products, which will come into force with tomorrow’s alcohol duty reform.

Jameson Irish whiskey has been announced as an official partner of the English Football League (EFL). The collaboration is a continuation of Jameson’s activity in UK football, following a sponsorship deal with small-side pitch provider Powerleague. 

Malibu rum has collaborated with Aries streetwear to create a limited-edition collection of clothing, with accompanying imagery created by AI.

Scotch whisky producer Chivas Brothers has shared details of its heat recovery technology with the industry as it looks to encourage other distilleries to reduce carbon emissions. 

Beam Suntory’s chief growth and brands officer is set to take over as CEO later this year.

The monthly round-up of what's new in low/no, beer, cider, wine, spirits, RTDs and mixers.

Aldi is selling glasses of its version of Pimm’s (Austin’s) for 78p, across the road from Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Earlier this month, Drinks Retailing took a trip to Spanish gin brand Puerto de Indias’ home just outside Seville. The gin, which is known for its strawberry flavour, has big plans for the UK market.  Here, Lucy Britner talks to global consumer director Laura Noguera and global innovation and international markets director Isabela Lluch about the potential for a Spanish gin brand in the UK.

Northumberland-based Hepple Spirits, established in 2014, uses its natural surroundings to produce cocktail-ready drinks. Chris Garden, head of operations and former head distiller at Sipsmith, talks to Rachel Badham about Hepple’s triple distillation method and the future of the gin category 

As consumers look to celebrate the father figure in their lives, the drinks industry is stepping up to stock home bars and create occasions. Drinks Retailing rounds up a few top tips and tipples 

Eden Mill Distillery is set to partner with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for the second year running.

Opihr gin has announced its first-ever out-of-home advertising campaign with a nod to summer travel as the brand owners look to educate consumers about the gin’s flavour profile.

Richard Corbett examines how gin producers are looking to NPD to maintain interest in the category through 2023 and beyond

Scotch whisky producer International Beverage Holdings has finished a £4 million upgrade at its Balmenach distillery in Speyside.

What can drinks retailers do to gain an edge this summer? Nigel Huddleston asks the experts

Key categories stocked up? Check. Chillers in working order? Check. But what else can retailers do to gain an edge this summer? Nigel Huddleston asks the experts

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the UK government to rethink its plans to increase duty on spirits, while sharing figures that demonstrate the importance of spirits to the overall growth of the drinks industry. 

In February, Marks & Spencer took home three Drinks Retailing Awards, including Supermarket of the Year. Head of BWS transformation Andrew Shaw talks Lucy Britner through his work