Showcasing an incredible line-up of Australian performers, The Bundaberg Distilling Company has announced its highly anticipated Spirit of Bundaberg Festival will return on 9 May 2015. Headlining the bi-annual festival will be Australian rock legends and ten-time Aria winners, You Am I. Featuring guitarist and vocalist Tim Rogers along with band mates Russell Hopkinson on drums, Andy Kent on Bass, and Dav…

The latest research from Roy Morgan finds that Australians under 30 years of age are drinking less than their elders. The research finds that in 2014 (in any give four-week period) 68 per cent of Australian adults consumed alcohol, but with 66 per cent of those aged between 18 and 29, in comparison to 69 per cent aged 30 plus. “Young people are often portrayed as binge-drinkers in the media, but our lates…

From Lisa Saunders, Marketing Director Australia & New Zealand, Treasury Wine Estates Millennials are the latest generation of wine consumers who are reaching their mid-20s and discovering the world of drinks. They have been praised for their confidence and tolerance and admired for the ease with which they embrace digital and social technology. There is no doubt that this generation is important for …

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 week, presenter and judge, Tyson Stelzer presented five mature flagship Aus…

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 report:   By Shopper Tracker   Destination Via…

Director of Coles Liquor, Greg Davis, revealed March 25 at the drinks association’s March Network Breakfast, a number of strategic plans pivotal to the transformation of its under performing business. Coles Liquor is currently facing a number of similar issues to those faced by its fresh food business in 2009, which Davis was responsible for the turn around of then. Davis is now heading a similar transfor…

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 from AGWA (Australian Grape & Wine Authority). The next step is to find a potential customer/importer…

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 on the story of her life and experience in customer serv…

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 viewed simply as low-cost alternatives to name brands…

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 team under Brad Banducci…