The industry chiefs warned that there would be fewer wine and spirits options unless the government addresses the supply chain crisis.
Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA), which represents wine and spirits trade associations, wrote Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary. He was concerned that some companies have difficulty getting drinks to customers and urged him to ‘ease this burden’ due to the shortage of HGV drivers.
Some 49 businesses including Moët Hennessy UK, Laurent-Perrier UK, Pernod Ricard UK, C&C Group and Matthew Clark, put their names to the letter.
WSTA CEO Miles Beale stated that there is growing concern from our members that unless we take urgent action, delivery chaos will only get worse.
“We’re already experiencing major delays with wine and spirit delivery times, which is driving up costs and limiting UK consumers’ access to a wider range of products.”
Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA), in a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, stated that companies still struggle to obtain drinks from customers and urged ministers for help to ‘ease burden’ created by HGV driver shortages (file image).
Mr Beale told BBC Radio 4 this morning: ‘We’re not suggesting anything too dramatic. We don’t want to see panic buying of wines and spirits.
‘What we’re saying is the sort of thing consumers will see is fewer offers. These are the kind of deals you can expect to see in the lead up to Christmas. You will find smaller ranges of products on the shelves at supermarkets and other shops, and possibly some brand new ones.
‘You might have trouble finding the brands you’re used to and have to find something else instead. There is less variety, fewer new brands, and not as much offer to choose from in the lead up to Christmas.
According to the WSTA, members report that importing goods took up to five times as long this year than it did a previous year. Businesses who were able to fulfill orders within two to three business days now have to wait 15 days for their shipments.
It was also reported that freight prices had increased by 7 per cent, and delivery firms had to increase the wages of HGV driver to maintain them.
The WSTA asks Shapps that he extend a temporary visa scheme to HGV drivers for a period of at least one year starting on February 28th, 2022. This will ease the industry’s burden as well as allow domestic drivers to increase their numbers.
As delivery companies have to pay more HGV drivers to maintain their jobs, freight prices had risen 7 percent. Pictured, HGV driver in Berkshire in July
His department also desires better freight routing from ports, and smaller UK-based drivers networks to short-haul trips.
Although the UK government did not predict disruptions to alcohol supplies this Christmas, it said that they were confident.
A spokesperson for the government stated that the government had taken prompt action to deal with the supply chain challenges caused by global pressures such as the pandemic or the lack of drivers to drive HGVs. He also noted the 32 actions taken to combat the shortage.
The two largest UK supermarkets, Tescos and Sainsbury’s in the United Kingdom, have big wine promotions currently. It is not clear if this will impact wine stocks.