Independents - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Friday read: Top drop in Totterdown

Published: 12 September, 2025

As the name Carouse suggests, Faye Buckle’s soon to open Bristol indie merchant aims to keep wine social and fun. Oliver Catchpole taps in.

Hove wine oasis wins 31 Days of German Wine

Published: 22 August, 2025

Fourth & Church restaurant and wine shop in Hove, East Sussex, has won the inaugural 31 Days of German Wine, an expanded version of the 31 Days of German Riesling campaign which ran for over a decade.

Popular Brighton wine shop to be evicted as Co-op expands

Published: 09 July, 2025

Independent wine shop Seven Cellars in the Seven Dials neighbourhood of Brighton has been given an eviction date of 26th November by the Co-op. The date lands at the start of festive trading period, as the national retailer seeks to expand an existing store.

The intriguing potential of indie loyalty schemes

Published: 02 July, 2025

“You don’t earn loyalty in a day. You earn loyalty day by day,” counselled US marketing guru and author Jeffrey Gitomer. Yet despite the clear advantages, customer loyalty schemes – ubiquitous across many retail sectors – remain an underused resource among UK independents. The question is, why?

How indies are diversifying their retail strategy

Published: 04 June, 2025

Creativity among independent retailers is not only a natural product of many proprietors’ entrepreneurial spirit, but increasingly a necessity to help them negotiate the laundry list of financial headwinds they face. Many indie merchants have shown great adaptability, both in terms of in-store and online retail settings, exploring new revenue streams and reinvigorating existing ones to help weather the storm.

Indies Survey 2025: uncertainty reigns

Published: 07 March, 2025

As the usual business headwinds seemingly turn to a howling gale, we once again
ask the independent merchants’ sector for their take on what the year ahead holds.

50 Best Indies 2025: The full list

Published: 10 January, 2025

Once again we reveal our 50 Best Indies, highlighting the most dynamic merchants in the wine and spirits world.

Indie innovation

Published: 08 January, 2025

Each year our 50 Best Indies entries reveal a wealth of innovative ideas and interesting initiatives. Ahead of the big reveal in January, we shared just some of those – both serious and more fun – that caught our eye.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Archie McDiarmid, Luvians Bottleshop

Published: 06 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Archie McDiarmid, manager at Luvians Bottleshop in St Andrews, as he reflects on a tough ride for the trade.

Liberty report: Indies steal a march on supermarkets

Published: 04 December, 2024

Liberty Wines’ first ever Independent Off-Trade Wine Report paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the future. Jo Gilbert reports

Harpers 30 Under 30 finalist invests in bricks and mortar

Published: 22 November, 2024

Entrepreneur, cheese enthusiast and media personality Jessica Summer has opened her first shop and bar in the London Borough of Harrow.

Indie retailers warn against new employee rights as Starmer vows to ‘rip up the rulebook’ on bureaucracy

Published: 15 October, 2024

The government’s proposed ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation’ could stifle job creation in independent shops and place further financial pressures on already struggling retailers, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has warned.

Indie collaboration

Published: 02 October, 2024

With costs up and margins squeezed, Andrew Catchpole assesses the pros and cons of sharing on smaller shipments of wine.

Indies: The generation game

Published: 30 August, 2024

With a generational fall-off hitting the trade, Andrew Catchpole looks at what steps indie merchants are taking to pull in younger punters.

Indie retailers face down living wage increases

Published: 28 August, 2024

The National President of the Fed (Federation of Independent Retailers) has written to the new Secretary of State for Business and Trade to highlight the impact of higher wages on smaller businesses.

Amathus to open first Wine Warehouse in South West London

Published: 21 August, 2024

Amathus, the drinks importer, distributor and retailer, is expanding its retail presence from nine to 14 locations, with the introduction of its first Wine Warehouse in East Sheen, South West London.

Luvians wins 31 Days of German Riesling campaign

Published: 21 August, 2024

For the thirteenth year running, July saw the UK trade dedicating the month to German Riesling, with 135 venues nationwide participating in a series of events, including German Riesling masterclasses, in-store promotions, wine dinners and social media initiatives.