Raising the bar for 2017

Translating the seasonal bonanza into sustainable premium sales should be an attainable New Year's resolution

The Drinks Wholesaler: Drinking cheek by jowl

"Change is the only constant," mused the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, and that has certainly never been more apt than in the current drinking and dining scene. 

COPY: The Drinks Wholesaler: A little of what they like

Welcome to our autumn issue of Drinks Wholesaler, which is packed with the usual medley of analysis, insights, viewpoints and features, plus original research into the wine market, commissioned and shared by Crown Cellars, appearing for the first time here. 

The Drinks Wholesaler: A little of what they like

Welcome to our autumn issue of Drinks Wholesaler, which is packed with the usual medley of analysis, insights, viewpoints and features, plus original research into the wine market, commissioned and shared by Crown Cellars, appearing for the first time here. 

COPY: The Drinks Wholesaler: Intriguing Times

We've covered a far-reaching spread of issues, insights, interviews and profiles in these pages along with focuses on the sparkling wine category, gin, British beer and the contrasting, but in some ways complementary, wine offers of Chile and Argentina. We also examine what the word 'craft' means to consumers and ask whether it can be better applied to wine to engage millennials.

Andrew Catchpole: Are you in or out?

To Brexit or not to Brexit? To further labour a Shakespeare reference, that is the question facing the British public as they head for the voting booths for the referendum on remaining or renouncing membership of the European Union on June 23.

The Drinks Wholesaler: Intriguing Times

Welcome to our autumn issue of Drinks Wholesaler, which is packed with the usual medley of analysis, insights, viewpoints and features, plus original research into the wine market, commissioned and shared by Crown Cellars, appearing for the first time here. 

Taking a break from the mainstream

It's often said that Champagne sales are a pretty accurate economic barometer, their fluctuations closely matching the financial health of the nation, fast charting out the highs and lows of boom and bust.

Chink & swig! Welcome to the Drinks Wholesaler

We hope you'll enjoy the mix of features, analysis and viewpoints in our launch issue. And, above all, find the content thought-provoking, informative and useful to you, this being the only publication solely dedicated to focusing on the business of wholesaling beers, wines and spirits.

Rosie Davenport: Can Conviviality's bargaining win it Matthew Clark?

One of the more persistent rumours circulating the trade finally found some concrete grounds this month as Conviviality Retail put its head above the parapet and confirmed its intention to buy wholesaler Matthew Clark.

Rosie Davenport: Less space, but room for all?

Rosie Davenport: "Politics aside, we're in a wine democracy"

Richard Siddle: what sort of community do you hang out in?

Richard Siddle: time to stand up and applaud Majestic and Oddbins

For my sins I have spent the best part of the last 20 years writing about and reporting on the UK retail sector.  In that time I have come to respect, perhaps even love some of the country's most well-known retail brands, some of which can rightly be described as amongst the best in the world.

Chief of the Week: The Wirral

OK I may be biased having been brought up, schooled, educated and shown the way to a good life on the Wirral, but this week's Open golf championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake only reminds me of what a wonderful place it is.

Putting consumer research and understanding at the heart of all our business strategies

The importance of truly understanding how well your business understands the needs and behaviour of consumers is a topic I have turned to on a number of occasions. I make no apology for doing so again.

Richard Siddle: why nothing beats doing business face to face

Here's an interesting exercise for you. Why not count up all of the different ways in which you have done business in the past week. If your list is anything like mine then it would stretch from: the tried-and-tested face-to-face pre-organised appointment; the good ol' business lunch; a chance meeting on an easyJet flight; a late-night drink in a Montpellier bar; a direct message on Twitter; a very old-fashioned telephone call; right through to a bog-standard message via email.

Richard Siddle: are we seeing a return to the good (ish) old days...

Richard Siddle: have we got news for you...

When Lennon & McCartney wrote the famous line "I read the news today, oh boy" way back in 1967 the chances are it would have been in the pages of a newspaper. If they had been penning that lyric today, then "the news" could have come from Twitter, Facebook,  a mobile app, a YouTube video, or a link to a website anywhere in the world.

Richard Siddle: let's give our support to trade colleagues in troubled Lebanon

News of wine crops across France being devastated by hail storms remind us all what a precarious life being a wine producer is. No matter how well your business might be doing, or how many trade listings you have, all that can stand for nothing if your vineyard happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when Mother Nature comes calling.