Q&A: Andrew Lundy, managing director, Vino

Rising from the ashes of Wine Rack after it went into administration in 2009, Edinburgh-based independent merchant Vino has garnered a reputation for a no-nonsense, fresh and fun approach to wine selling.

Regulation changed shoppers buying habits in Scotland, says independent merchant

As with university fees and other devolved powers concerning health and education, Scotland has its own rules regulation when it comes to the drinks industry.

Promotion for UK indies to drive Provence rosé growth

Vins de Provence is launching a necktag promotion to support sales and drive awareness of Provence rosé wines in UK indies.

Wines from Canada gather momentum in the UK

At Taste Canada UK 2016, 34 producers from different territories across Canada were showcasing more than 150 wines with many looking to find importers into the UK.

Insights: Indies with mutiple sites share critical lessons learned about expanding

LWF: Esoterica - A fair within a fair

The upper floor of the Kensington Olympia is buzzing this morning.

Think Indie: Drink Indie, 50 Best Indies Awards

July 12 sees the launch of Harpers' new independent merchants initiative Think Indie, Drink Indie, along with our 50 Best Indies Awards.

Conviviality to acquire Bibendum PLB for £60m

Conviviality Plc has announced its subsidiary Conviviality Brands Limited has conditionally agreed to acquire Bibendum PLB for an 'enterprise value' of £60 million.

Tim Atkin MW: The health of wine on the UK high street

Failing the emergence of a last-minute saviour, BHS looks set to slide into administration this week, joining a list of major high street casualties that includes Comet, Woolworths and JJB Sports.

Jascots Wine Merchants rolls out Sunday delivery services

Jascots Wine Merchants, specialist supplier to the on-trade and independent merchants, is rolling out seven day delivery services for its London customers. It is the first company to offer Sunday delivery services which it will be providing through its own delivery vans.

Online grocery sales forecast to hit £15b by 2020 proving a big opportunity for wine

Retail market research firm Mintel forecasts that online grocery sales will increase 73% to reach £15 billion by 2020, proving an opportunity for the wine category.

Insights: Indies find creative ways of attracting and retaining customers

From eye-catching shop window displays to well-honed social media campaigns, there are many ways for indies to reach new customers and retain their loyalty.

Jascots accredited by Living Wage Foundation

London-based wine supplier to the on-trade, Jascots, is blazing a trail for employers by pledging to pay its employees the living wage.

Why indies need to use the web wisely

With online wine sales booming, independents stand to lose out to bigger players unless they use the web wisely to promote their USPs

What the Living Wage means for the trade

We all need to earn enough to survive. But the Chancellor's introduction of a Living Wage, announced last year and to be introduced this April, has proved controversial

Independents turn to experiential approach

Independent drinks retailers are currently facing a double whammy with supermarkets providing consumers with the convenience of picking up drinks with their weekly shop, while discounters are providing the sort of low prices that are hard to ignore.

Real Wine Fair biggest event to date set for April

The Real Wine Fair is shaping up to be the largest fair yet with 160 growers from 15 countries set to show over 700 wines at the Tobacco Dock on 17 - 18 April, 2016.

Insights: The pros and cons of buying groups and the changing agency model

Buying groups, particularly among independent merchants and on-trade wholesalers, are becoming more commonplace. Harpers.co.uk investigates the pros and cons of joining one

James Bielby: Has the Government turned its back on small businesses?

James Bielby, chief executive officer of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, asks whether a number of different government initiatives being focused on from the National Living Wage to the relaxation of Sunday Trading rules could harm small business owners.

Insights: Independents best poised to gain if value can be returned to wine category

With supermarkets retrenching, independents stand to gain if value can be returned to the wine category