By Walter MacCallum, a Director with Aitken Lawyers Business reviews for products or services are one of the most powerful marketing tools available, no question. If you’re going to buy something or go somewhere, the most reliable indicator of value for money is the opinion of someone you trust who’s been there before, or, as a next best option, the opinion of someone you don’t kn…

Australia importehttps://www.drinksbulletin.com.au/files/d the second largest number of bottles of champagne in its history last year, according to the comité Champagne who made the announcement at Prowien, Germany. Data from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne shows Australia ranking as the seventh largest Champagne market globally, and fifth largest per head of population. 7.4 million bottles landed in the cou…

Social media management platform Hootsuite has released research highlighting the ability of social media engagement to drive purchasing decisions and aid the development of long-lasting customer relationships for hospitality companies. Hootsuite’s research showed that 71 per cent of consumers are making purchasing decisions based upon what they see on social media. However, less than half of hospita…

Why are gender diversity and female participation on Australian boards and at senior leadership levels so rare? Why after my experience of 23 years in executive recruitment has the gender landscape across senior management not expanded? By Simone Allan, Founder/Director of Mondo Search , a recruitment agency that  specialises   in the drinks industry Australian women have  equal…

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (TWE) has just announced its interim 2017 financial result, more than doubling both its Reported Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) at $136.2 million, and its Earnings Per Share (EPS) at 18.5 cents per share, from the previous corresponding period. The Company also reported an increase on Earnings Before Interest, Tax, SGARA and material items (EBITS) of $226.8m, up 58.8 per cent on …

Leading global research company, Nielsen, has become the first to launch a benchmarking program that measures liquor retail sales in New Zealand. Using scan data from seven of the country’s largest traditional liquor retailers, Nielsen is now able to provide a total report on the market’s industry performance. The benefits of The Liquor Benchmark will be significant for both suppliers and retailers. Fo…

According to IBISWorld, liquor retail sales are expected to grow by approximately 3.4 per cent this Christmas, compared to last year. A positive forecast, as Christmas retail spending across the board, is set to remain flat this December, growing by only 0.4 per cent on last year’s sales as consumers “tighten their belts.” Early indications suggest Australians are becoming more frugal this December, which…

TAFE NSW is once again offering its Professional Sommeliers Course, with enrolments now open for the February to June 2017 semester. There are no entry requirements for the course, most suitable for industry professionals and those wanting to progress into the role of Sommelier in fine dining establishments. The course will provide students with specialist training in the field of Sommelier, covering kno…

NILWA GM, Jenny Hughes This week, drinks bulletin sat down with newly appointed General Manager of the National Independent Liquor Wholesalers Association, Jenny Hughes. Jenny has been with the business for ten years and during that period as National Business Manager, she worked closely with former CEO, Martin O’Mara. In May this year, Martin decided to move onto the Board as Executive Chairman and …

In breaking news for the industry, the Australian Financial Review has reported overnight that Accolade Wines is in final stage talks to buy Lion’s Australian wine portfolio. The portfolio, which is represented by Fine Wine Partners, consists of brands such as Croser, Petaluma, Knappstein, St Hallett and Stonier, among others. According to AFR, the purchase of the portfolio and its respective contracts is…