Latest drinks industry comment
The best views and opinions in beverage industry publishing, all in one place, from beverage's monthly columnists and in-house experts.
Beer cans should know their place, not at table
This month, our resident beer commentator, Stephen Beaumont, has spotted a link between beer's missed opportunity in the restaurant channel...
The just-drinks analyst writes... - June
Our former beverage analyst Ian Shackleton has focused his attention this month on the post-election outlook in the UK and how macro uncerta...
Why Marlborough is looking to up its game
This month, wine commentator Chris Losh heads to Marlborough in New Zealand, to see how some folk in the wine region are trying to make its...
Spirits failing to push innovation beyond top-end
This month, spirits commentator Ian Buxton considers an opportunity that - so far - has been missed by the category. For all its investment...
The soft drinks opportunity from a hard Brexit - Comment 25 May 2017
It's coming up to a year since the UK shocked itself - and Europe - by voting to leave the European Union. Article 50 has now been triggered and Brexit, we have been told, means Brexit. Richard Corbett considers the likely fallout of the UK's departure for the country's soft drinks industry.
Constellation Brands and Brown-Forman? Keep it in the family – Editor’s Viewpoint 24 May 2017
Has someone got their cheeky hat on, or has Constellation Brands got a bit too big for its boots? Yesterday’s reports linking Constellation with Brown-Forman can only be one of these two, and I think I know which one it is.
Why craft owes more to multinational brands than we're made to think - Comment 18 May 2017
In wanting to trumpet their credentials, craft spirits brands still owe much to the bigger, more-established brands in the segments. Richard Woodard believes beating up the big boys leaves craft brands open to charges of biting the hand that feeds them.
Are big brewers buying craft brands to benefit big beer? - Comment 16 May 2017
Amid all the furore each time another craft brewer joins the other side, beer commentator Stephen Beaumont explores the strategy behind the larger players' forays in the segment.
Can Europe's wine industry weather the weather? - Comment 12 May 2017
A recent warm spell has thrown wine commentator Chris Losh out of kilter. But, if you think he's got problems, consider what these weather blips do for Europe's wine producers.
Is the UK not OK? - The just-drinks analyst 10 May 2017
This month, our former beverage analyst, Ian Shackleton, is confined to base and has focused his attention on the tough trading outlook in the UK, which is also limiting M&A opportunities. For private beverages companies in the country, however, the outlook looks much rosier.
Is Coca-Cola Co making a Smartwater move with Glaceau? - Comment 2 May 2017
Recent activity by The Coca-Cola Co behind Glaceau Smartwater has brought the enhanced water segment under Richard Corbett's nose. What are the company - and the segment's - chances of success?
How craft beer has shattered its US shackles and gone global - Comment 27 Apr 2017
Much as the US hogs the craft beer limelight, the segment finally appears to be going global. Stephen Beaumont looks at how craft has broken out of its birthplace and is cropping up in markets around the world.
Has the race to premiumise made spirits forget the mainstream? - Comment 25 Apr 2017
It's the last thing the English language needs, but could a companion term to the verbally-ugly 'premiumisation' pass into everyday use in the years to come? Is 'mainstreamisation' – a neologism arguably even more hideous than the p-word – here to stay? Richard Woodard thinks so.
How soft drinks brands have offended everyone, some of the time - Comment 18 Apr 2017
In the same month that PepsiCo's knuckles got a consumer-driven wrap, Richard Corbett looks back at the adverts that have tested brand loyalty in the soft drinks arena.
As the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, how long before wine faces its own revolution? - Comment 12 Apr 2017
Much has been made over the last year of the 'silent majority'; the long-suffering populations who have seen much of what they believed in eroded, their jobs migrated and workplaces closed, their standard of living on a seemingly endless downward curve. Chris Losh says the same headwinds are being felt across the wine world.
What role will Asia play in the future of beer, spirits and soft drinks? - The just-drinks Analyst 11 Apr 2017
Having focused (virtually) on Brazil in his last piece, this month our correspondent Ian Shackleton travels to Asia. Here, the former analyst shares a few thoughts on how the region might take on the West when it comes to beverages.
Millennials are not the only fruit for Absolut - Comment 4 Apr 2017
The saga of Absolut's travails in the US continues, with the mooted recovery in the Pernod Ricard-owned vodka brand's fortunes proving more elusive than the company had hoped. Are Millennials to blame? Richard Woodard reports.
Spirits leads the latest invasion of Africa - Comment 3 Apr 2017
Last month, Diageo handed the microphone to the head of its operations in Africa. Spirits commentator Ian Buxton was among those of us who listened in.
With Article 50 triggered, the Brexit shoot-out begins - Comment 30 Mar 2017
Yesterday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May invoked Article 50 of the European Union's constitution, formally beginning the two-year process by which the UK will leave the EU. Although post-exit trade arrangements are not formally included in the UK's exit terms, they are sure to be the subject of intense discussions between the two sides.
Fruit-flavoured beer? Think of the kids - Comment 28 Mar 2017
This month, just-drinks' beer commentator, Stephen Beaumont, uses his regular column to look at the fruit-flavoured beer segment, and spies a red flag.
In his latest commentary for just-drinks, former drinks analyst Ian Shackleton heads to Brazil to look at 3G's burned fingers, the future worries for Anheuser-Busch InBev and Britvic's samba moves.
What does the future look like for Australian wine? - Comment 21 Mar 2017
Earlier this year, Chris Losh attended an Australian tasting in the UK and got a glimpse of the future for the country's wine producers. Here's what he saw.
Travel Retail needs a disruptor. Is it willing to find one? - Comment 20 Mar 2017
In an interview with just-drinks this week, Pernod Ricard CEO Alex Ricard had some strong words for Travel Retail.
Are Millennials too young for brown spirits? - Comment 15 Mar 2017
This month, just-drinks' brown spirits commentator, Ian Buxton, considers the sector's efforts to entice the Millennial consumer into the fray.
Most Popular
Insights
- Is Diageo’s US$1bn Casamigos play expensive?
- Interview - Heaven Hill president Max Shapira
- Responsible drinking around the world - June
- Juice category must get to grips with lead threat
- European Union spirits exports 2016 - data
News
- Diageo adds Casamigos to Tequila portfolio
- Distill Ventures looks to add non-alcoholic brands
- Pernod's Beefeater marketing gets London makeover
- Heineken UK signs up for Amazon Dash button
- AB InBev to sell Diebels and Hasseröder brands
Market research
- Global flavoured spirits insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
- Global Scotch insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
- Craft Beer Market in Europe 2017-2021
- Sugar: The Fool Proof Target for Obesity or a Can of Worms?
- Global Champagne and sparkling wine insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
Get full access
