Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) revealed a 21.3 per cent decline in its Australian beverage business earnings today, during the announcement of its 2014 full year results. The company says the decline is a result of difficult trading conditions in the market. Pricing proved the most challenging for the company in 2014. “We’re benefiting from lower commodity prices, but rate realisation is definitely the challenge in Australia at the moment”, Group Managing ...

The awaited release of the Federal Government’s May budget on Wednesday has sparked much discussion and speculation among the alcohol industry over the past week. The Australian National Retail Association (ANRA) says it is encouraged by recent reports, which suggest that the budget will begin to address the integrity of GST to goods and services purchased online and offshore. However, ANRA CEO, Anna McPhee said the association will be waiting ...

Early results released from a University of Adelaide-led research project have revealed overseas wine trade and consumers hold very positive feelings about Australians and Australian wine. When trade and consumer focus groups in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and India were asked what they think about Australians and Australian wine they responded with descriptions of “authentic”, “exciting”, “sincere”, “strong” and “reliable”. Lead researcher and Program Director of Wine Business ...

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 Occasion   Liquor segments are largely pre-meditated ...

In 2014, Australia once again proved to be an important market for Champagne.  According to the latest figures, Australia imported 6,524,220 bottles last year – an increase of 8.3 per cent, which makes Australia the sixth largest market in the world in terms of importing. The Champagne growers and houses are pleased by this return to growth. 2014 worldwide shipments recorded a rise of 1 per cent by volume compared with 2013 (305 million ...

Joe Spence, Innovation Manager at Diageo Australia has revealed what he predicts will be ‘on trend’ in the spirits category over the next 12 months, plus some emerging trends the leading drinks business is keeping an eye on. Among predictions, Mr. Spence points to zero sugar, spiced rum and pairing spirits with food for where growth lies for brands in 2015.

Rob McMillan, Exec. Vice President & Founder at Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division, has released his report on the State of the Wine Industry 2015. The report provides insight into predictions for the US wine market in 2015 – the largest wine market and one of the most influential - wider global trends and how Australian wine producers should approach the US market. Overall, the report suggests that 2015 will ...

Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) reports that beer sales are expected to surge in the lead up to and on Australia Day. The brewing giant says sales have been increasing year on year, and saw a significant increase by 3.4 per cent between 2013 and 2014. “Relaxing and beer go hand-in-hand with most people who drink beer, seeing it as something which makes them feel laid back and sociable”, CUB’s ...

The Australian Grape and Wine Authority’s (AGWA) latest Wine Export Approval Report December 2014, released on Wednesday, reports that Australian wine exports are up by 1.9 per cent in both volume and value. This is the first increase to have been seen in export values since the global recession in 2007. In addition, the Wine Export Approval Report also finds that Australian wine was exported to 121 destinations in the ...

Coles has paid out a $10 million fine to settle a case with the competition watchdog, ACCC, after allegations were made against Coles, accusing the chain of “engaging in unconscionable conduct against its suppliers”, and forcing suppliers into “profit gap” and “waste” payments. Since then, new and similar allegations against Woolworths have surfaced, accusing the retailer of having demanded millions of dollars from suppliers to “fund a discount war”, Master ...