Licensed Wisdom VII

“A fair and reasonable Irish compromise is on the cards. Natuarally, both sides will be disappointed” – JD Wetherspoon Chairman Tim Martin to The Times on the resolution of the dispute with Heineken.

 

“With improving consumer cash flow, it is clear that consumers are trading up on the fewer occasions that they venture out. Thus, upgrade momentum is with the restaurants and premium pubs/bars, whereas downgrade momentum is with those trapped in discounting.” – Doug Jack of Numis institutional stockbrokers and advisers on the poor profit margins achieved by Wetherspoon in H1 in the UK.

 

“The perception and appealing image of the Irish pub is consistently high around the world and forms an integral component of the composite ‘wished for’ experience that is Ireland. In terms of a positive influence it outranked other desirable experiences in Ireland, such as Dublin’s heritage and culture, visiting an Irish castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and Connemara. The strong message from overseas holiday visitors establishes the pub, not only as highly sought-after experience but also a major influence on the decision to visit.” – Irish Tourism Industry Confederation in its Irish Pubs – a core tourism experience report.

 

 “Next year’s competition starts tomorrow” – NOffLA Chairman Gary O’Donovan in a reference to the need for never dropping standards even for a day at this year’s NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year Awards.

 

“We can see that there are a number or consumers, especially women, who are very aware of design when they choose beverage products. There may be situations where they are standing in a bar and want their drinks to match their style. In this case, they may well reject a beer if the design does not appeal to them.” – International Innovation Director at Carlsberg Jeanette Elgaard Carlsson referring to the brewery’s new brand ‘Copenhagen’ which she describes as “a real alternative to white wine and champagne”.