How We’re Building 2026 With UK Bars, Pubs & Retailers — Insights from Local Flavours

If you’re a bar manager, pub owner, or retail buyer looking for a drinks supplier that actually helps products sell, not just sit on a shelf, this is for you.

Last week, we were at the Local Flavours Trade Show, not just showcasing our spirits, but having real conversations with hospitality and retail businesses about what’s working right now, and what’s coming next in 2026.

And the themes we heard aren’t just relevant to Norfolk.

They’re happening across the UK.

What Bar Managers & Hospitality Teams Are Really Looking For

Across pubs, bars, and restaurants, the same challenges kept coming up:

• Drinks that don’t move fast enough
• Menus that are too complex to sell confidently
• Staff unsure what to recommend
• Missed opportunities to increase spend per customer

What bar managers are really looking for now isn’t just another spirit.

They want:

• Products that are easy to recommend behind the bar
• Serves that are quick, consistent, and repeatable
• A supplier that understands how drinks actually sell in a busy service

What Retail Buyers & Farm Shops Need Right Now

For retailers, the conversation is slightly different — but the goal is the same:

Make it easier for customers to choose — and come back for more

We heard:

• “We need products that stand out on the shelf”
• “Customers need a reason to pick something up”
• “We want suppliers who help us actually sell, not just stock”

The most successful retail spaces are doing three things well:

• Highlighting a clear hero product
• Making it easy to understand what to buy
• Creating moments in-store (tastings, features, storytelling)

The Shift Towards “Drinks That Work”

At the show, we didn’t just pour samples.

We focused on showcasing how drinks actually perform in real environments.

The Tawny Orange Spritz was a perfect example of what’s working right now:

• Easy to make
• Easy to recommend
• Easy to reorder

That’s where the industry is moving.

Away from complicated, one-off drinks
Towards simple, high-performing serves

Because in both bars and retail:
If it’s not easy to sell, it won’t sell.

Why Choosing the Right Drinks Supplier Matters

There’s no shortage of spirits brands in the UK.

But most suppliers stop at delivery.

What we’re seeing — and what businesses are increasingly looking for — is something different:

A supplier who helps you:

• Build a drinks offering that actually works
• Improve staff confidence and recommendations
• Increase sales without overcomplicating things
• Create repeatable success, not one-off wins

That’s how long-term growth happens.

Planning Ahead for 2026 (And Why It Starts Now)

One of the biggest takeaways from Local Flavours was this:

The best operators are already thinking about 2026.

Not in a complicated way — just asking:

• What’s working right now?
• What isn’t?
• Where are we missing opportunities?

From there, it becomes about small, practical improvements:

• Clearer menus
• Better staff recommendations
• Stronger core serves
• Smarter product positioning

What We Do Differently at WhataHoot

We’re not just here to supply spirits.

We’re here to help you sell more of them.

That means:

• Supporting your team with real-world serve ideas
• Helping shape your drinks offering around what actually works
• Creating activations and moments that drive footfall and sales
• Keeping things simple, practical, and consistent

Whether you’re:

• A bar manager refining your menu
• A pub owner looking to increase spend per head
• A retailer wanting products that actually move

We’ll meet you where you are.

Let’s Talk

If you’re reviewing your drinks supplier — or just want a fresh perspective on your current setup — we’re always happy to chat.

No pressure. No hard sell.

Just a conversation about what could work better.