Wine trade feels pressure of mounting costs (UK)

Fluctuating currency markets and high transport costs are putting wine retailers under more pressure, reports Harpers Wine & Spirit. Noel Reid, wines and spirits buyer at Frederic Robinson, said: “I don’t think there’s anyone out there who could say that exchange rates and transport costs are not a problem for them at the moment, alongside duty hikes. It’s causing real concern in the trade and is putting pressure on house wines in particular. I know people who are having to try to source wines under 80 cents in order to hit their list price.”