Coronavirus outbreak 2020 - Round-up

The Wuhan coronavirus, COVID-19, has caused deaths and forced stringent travel restrictions in China. Here is a round-up of just-drinks' coverage of the outbreak as it spreads worldwide.

Coronavirus COVID-19 and the global drinks industry - just-drinks timeline - FREE TO ACCESS 26 May 2020

Here's a timeline of the effect the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis is having on the global drinks industry:

"'Watershed moment' is the right term to use" - Charlie Merrells, chief strategy officer for Amazon agency Molzi - CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL 20 May 2020

Charlie Merrells left his job as Amazon's UK category head for beer, wines and spirits days before the coronavirus lockdown hit the country. He could hardly have picked a more tumultuous moment for retail as the pandemic pushed consumers - many for the first time - towards the e-commerce channel. In his new role as chief strategy officer for Amazon agency Molzi, Merrells is tasked with navigating companies through the new sales environment. Many of these firms have also been pushed towards the channel for the first time because of the coronavirus. In an interview with just-drinks this week, Merrells talks about what the rush to online has meant for beer, wines and spirits, the mistakes companies make when selling on Amazon and whether new trends for direct-to-consumer will outlive the pandemic.

Why post-COVID spirits consumers will be 'living in the moment' - comment 14 May 2020

As lockdown restrictions slowly start to ease in some markets, Neil Ridley considers how the post-COVID landscape is taking shape for spirits brand owners.

Why the coronavirus paves the way for e-commerce, omnichannel push - consumer trends 12 May 2020

COVID-19 continues to affect consumer trends in all markets, throwing some off course and speeding others up - including the shift to e-commerce. As more FMCG companies look at direct-to-consumer options, retailers will need to pivot to an omnichannel presence when lockdown is lifted, says consumer trends commentator Lucy Britner.

"Company leaders really need to take a battlefield approach" - just-drinks speaks to Ross Colbert, KPMG Corporate Finance MD of global beverages - Part II - CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL 7 May 2020

In the second part of just-drinks' exclusive interview with Ross Colbert, the MD of global beverages at KPMG Corporate Finance, we drill down into the coronavirus effect on the global drinks industry. Ross expands on his comments in part one about how consumer behaviour is adapting and also considers how the rest of 2020 will pan out.

How drinks companies can capitalise on coronavirus cocooning - analysis 29 Apr 2020

UK spirits distributor Highball Brands has recently announced the launch of Drinks Drop - a not-for-profit cocktail delivery service that will partner with some of the biggest bars around the UK to bring high-quality, premixed cocktails right to the consumer's doorstep.

How the post-COVID-19 beer industry will look - comment 28 Apr 2020

Everyone's asking, so beer commentator Stephen Beaumont is having a stab at answering: What will the world be like when we come out 'the other side'?

How COVID-19 is shaping the drinks industry of the future - analysis - FREE TO ACCESS 28 Apr 2020

The number of new deals is plummeting as the beverages industry faces a change in consumption channels precipitated by COVID-19. Meanwhile, global foreign direct investment (FDI) is forecast to slump across all sectors.

Coronavirus fails to extinguish China's appetite for luxury as lockdowns loosen - analysis 22 Apr 2020

In these times of uncertainty, I'm willing to guarantee one thing - the word of 2020 will be 'resilience'.

How the spirits category can ride out the coronavirus storm - comment 16 Apr 2020

With most of the world on lockdown, Neil Ridley explores how the spirits category can continue to support itself once the coronavirus pandemic eases.

Soft drinks fight to stay relevant in COVID-19 world - comment 14 Apr 2020

From Corporate Social Responsibility to e-sports, soft drinks brand owners are moving their marketing budgets to reach changing consumer priorities that have been emphasised by the coronavirus pandemic. How successful will they be? Lucy Britner investigates.

How is the coronavirus hitting the wine industry? - comment 9 Apr 2020

Every industry is being severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In wine, the sales channels have been battered while production also has battles to fight. Category commentator Chris Losh surveys the wreckage.

"There's a link between Brexit, the tariff war and COVID-19" - just-drinks speaks to SpiritsEurope director general Ulrich Adam - CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL 8 Apr 2020

In the drinks industry, the coronavirus pandemic has turned the spotlight on to trade associations, with members searching frantically for answers to their many questions. In our latest coronavirus special interview, just-drinks hears from Ulrich Adam, director general of SpiritsEurope, who discusses how his organisation is coping with COVID-19.

What will the post-COVID-19 consumer look like? - consumer trends 7 Apr 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, consumer trends columnist Lucy Britner looks at how the crisis will change consumer behaviour.

How UK food & drink SMEs can survive the coronavirus - comment 17 Mar 2020

Food & drink entrepreneur John Stapleton, who created and sold brands New Covent Garden Soup Co and Little Dish, believes there are a number of steps SMEs can take to help them survive coronavirus.

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