Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company: what I want from my suppliers

As an independent wine merchant one of the important and challenging jobs is how we deal and negotiate with suppliers. These can be large national companies or small boutique operations and we could be dealing with anything from the old fashioned "rep" to owners, directors or winemakers.

Independents put their foot down and demand more from major suppliers

Serious about working with leading independent wine merchants? Then this is a must read for you. Members of Harpers Independent Wine Crew set out what it is they like and don't like from the major wine distributors. Richard Siddle and Erin Smith report

Wine merchants celebrate national Independents' Day with sales boosts of up to 30%

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20% and 30%.

Leading independents hit out at major wine suppliers for their "lazy" service

Leading independent wine merchants have stepped up to the plate today to strongly criticise the quality of service that they are receiving from many of the major UK national wine suppliers and distributors.

France Summit to focus on how the country is adapting to UK consumer needs

Harpers will once again be turning the spotlight well and truly on the ins and outs, ups and downs of the French wine category as the French Summit returns for its second year on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Independent wine merchants report sales hikes of up to 30%

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20 and 30%.

Beermoth looks to bring US style beer retailing to Manchester

Specialist beer shops have joined the 21^st century, among them Beermoth, in central Manchester's hip northern quarter, and set up by Scot Davies, a former manager at the city's The Knott bar, and American Jeremy Stull, who worked at the esteemed Port Street Beer house.

Nik Darlington plays out the World Cup for real - with the world of wine

You could cut the tension with a grissino. The shoot-out was tied at 2-2, both sides' fans on tenterhooks.

British Airways pilot and flight attendant wife team to open Salut Wines in Manchester

A British Airways pilot and his first class flight attendant wife hope their new wine merchants, Salut Wine, which opens in Manchester in August,  will help keep their feet firmly on the floor with what they claim will have the largest Enomatic machine installation in the city. 

Penfolds to push back Bin, Icon and Luxury wines to one combined release in October

Premium bottled ale is set to be a £1bn category by 2020 as demand rises

 The premium bottled ale category is on course to be worth £1 billion by 2020 if current trends and interest in craft beers and premium ales continues, according to leading brewer Marston's.

Last chance to play in the Harpers World Cup Predictions game

Today's your last chance to stare in to that Brazilian crystal ball and take part in the Harpers World Cup Predictathonand win a whole load of wine along the way. Which is a lot more than the England football team will be winning this summer.

Your chance to win the World Cup 2014 with Harpers' predictions game

So who has caught your eye in the World Cup? Robben, Muller, Sterling, Pirlo? After wathcing the first round of games across all groups, who do you think has the best chance of winning?
Well why not have a go at our Harpers World Cup Predictathon and show your peers in the trade how much you really know about the beautiful game.

Independent merchants who work together can boost sales by £30k per year

Independent merchants who work together on the high street could boost their sales by up to £30,000 annually, according to a new report from American Express.

Alliance Wine opens London office to grow on-trade sales

Alliance Wine is opening an office in London to boost its sales into the capital's on-trade and south east market.

Gilbert Winfield: Let's hope London Cru is first of many UK urban wineries

London Cru, London's first urban winery is the new venture of the unstoppable Cliff Roberson, founder of Roberson Wine. This concept has been going a while in the US and Canada, but the UK seems to be lagging a few years behind on this. Roberson is setting a great example for future ventures, and I hope we see more of them.

Corks Out and Le Vignoble are Top Merchants of the Year in Harpers Awards

Corks Out in the North West and Le Vignoble in Plymouth have been named best large and small Top Merchants of the Year in the Harpers Awards 2014 announced last night at London's Hurlingham Club.

Les Grands Chais looks to UK growth through focus on quality

Considering Les Grands Chais de France is responsible for 20% of French wine exports to the UK it remains largely under the radar in the UK wine trade. Harpers.co.uk caught up with Tim North, head of its UK division, to find out about its export strategy and plans to grow distribution across all channels.

Harpers Awards 2014 winners announced at London's Hurlingham Club

Morrisons, Naked Wines, Bibendum, Corks Out, Vinoteca and the Chiltern Fire House were some of the big name winners announced tonight at the Harpers Awards at London's Hurlingham Club.

Logistics case studies

Case studies from Tesco, Matthew Clark, Enotria, Berry Bros & Rudd, Liberty Wines, Laithwaite's Wine and Jascots Wine Merchants