James Beeson
James is The Grocer’s drinks editor. He writes about NPD, M&A, government legislation, marketing campaigns and new hires within alcohol, soft drinks, packaged water and hot beverages.
Before joining The Grocer in 2023, James was the deputy editor at Just Drinks. He began his career in journalism at The Morning Advertiser in 2017, and has also freelanced for titles including The Brewers Journal, Brewer & Distiller International and Ferment magazine.
His drink of choice is a French Negroni with a splash of PX Sherry.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610305
- Email:
- james.beeson@thegrocer.co.uk
NewsFree-from snacking brand Crave launches savoury multipack duo
The new products would bring ’nostalgic bold flavours to lunchboxes and everyday snacking’, said Crave
NewsPenderyn launches first whisky from new north Wales distillery
Penderyn’s £5m Lloyd Street Distillery opened in Llandudno in 2021
NewsCBD brand Goodrays closes £5m fundraise to fuel future growth
Funds would be used to launch new products, ramp up marketing investment and support retail listings, Goodrays said
NewsTidal Rum seals retail debut with Ocado
Its flagship and spiced rums have launched on the online grocer
NewsCara Delevingne’s Della Vite prosecco brand adds RTD range
The spritzes are made using Italian white wine from the winery that produces Della Vite prosecco
NewsLipton Ice Tea rapped over ‘misleading’ stunt pretending to axe Peach flavour
The watchdog ruled the prank was likely to dupe consumers
NewsSupermalt seeks to capitalise on stout surge with boozy brand extension
Led by the growth of Guinness, stout has bucked the wider malaise in the beer and cider category over the past year
Analysis & FeaturesWhy major drinks companies are changing tack on low & no
Why standalone low & no brands are no longer seen as a growth opportunity for drinks majors, and what the future holds for alcohol-free challenger brands
NewsBurnt Faith launches ‘UK-first’ brandy RTDs and readies crowdfunding push
The canned cocktails were ’a direct challenge to an industry that’s forgotten how to innovate’ said Burnt Faith founder Simon Wright
NewsSpirits companies shift focus to 0.0% variants as low & no brands’ sales recede
Pernod Ricard appears to have mothballed its Ceder’s brand, while Diageo has offloaded its stake in Everleaf
NewsMedia Bites 7 July: Asda’s price war, M&S CEO interview, US snacking habits
Asda is calling on fmcg giants including Heinz and Nestlé to ‘share the load’ whilst M&S’ CEO has set out how the retailer is looking to win back customers after its cyber scare.
NewsAlcohol duty burden ‘restricting’ investment in scotch whisky – SWA
Three-quarters of suppliers said they were planning to rein in UK investment or spend overseas instead
NewsOlipop hints at UK launch with trademark move
Olipop has grown exponentially amid rising interest in healthier soft drinks
NewsGrocery and food to play major role in NHS 10 Year Health Plan
Announced this morning, the plan includes a radical overhaul of the NHS, with a focus on food and drink forming a key part of its ‘prevention rather than cure’ approach
NewsEdrington sees sales and profits slump on spirits downturn
The decline in sales was ’broadly consistent across international markets’
NewsMedia Bites 3 July: Greggs, Rachel Reeves, farming fears
Gregg’s profit warning features heavily across the nationals, as does Rachel Reeves.
Comment & OpinionThe new CBD ‘sweet spot’ guidance is welcome, but overdue
Brands can now proceed with confidence and clarity, having been given the clearest indication yet that 10mg is the sweet spot
NewsAlcohol advertising ban scrapped following industry backlash
The Department for Health & Social Care has significantly watered down proposals to limit alcohol-related harm
NewsGen Z discovers thirst for booze as incomes rise – data
The proportion of Gen Z legal drinking age consumers in the UK to report drinking alcohol regularly has increased by 10% in two years
NewsRibena unveils ‘heritage’ inspired rebrand and £7m push to reverse sliding sales
It comes with sales of Ribena having slid by 0.6% to £122.7m, on volumes down 2% last year