Fine Wines Direct wins Chilean brand contract as it steps up its operations

Fine Wines Direct UK has won a new contract to represent Chilean brand Viña Casa Tamaya SA in the UK.

Craft beer now used to calculate CPI as sales increase

Craft beer enters the mainstream as it goes in the basket used to calculate inflation for the first time.

Industry welcomes Treasury plans to review business rates

Industry bodies have welcomed the government's ambitious review of business rates, which were laid out today by The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.

St Austell's Brewery appoints first exclusive wine buyer to drive more sales

St Austell's Brewery has promoted Louisa Fizpatrick to the newly created role of wine buyer, in recognition of her hard work and expertise and extensive knowledge of the wine world.

Oakley Wine Agencies grows sales by 20% in face of reduced listings in major multiples

Family run Oakley Wine Agencies, which specialises in Portuguese wines, posted 20% growth over the last 12 months despite facing a challenging trading market with supermarkets.

Pacta Connect to open more East European wine sites following success of Brighton store

Pacta Connect, specialist importers of central and Eastern European wines, is looking to open further retail outlets following the initial success of its first site situated in Brighton's recently renovated Open Market.

Independents winning battle against shop crime but alcohol still a major target for thieves

Investing in crime prevention measures like CCTV has seen the number of independent retailers that have been victims of shop theft fall from 91% in 2012 to 74% in 2014, but alcohol still remains one of the major problem areas, according to new figures.

Best of British: we celebrate Top Merchants around the country

In part two of our Best of British feature, Harpers takes a look at three more independent wine merchants to keep your eyes on.

Richard Siddle: can independents (and their suppliers) grasp their moment in the limelight?

We hear (and we write) a lot about how important the independent sector is to the future of the wine and spirits sector.

2015 London Wine Fair will be the "most diverse" ever promises show organisers

This year's London Wine Fair will be the most diverse in its 35 year history, according to show director Ross Carter.

Chiefs of the Week: the UK's independent wine merchants

For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.

Diversifying in to cafes, bars and events are key for growth hears March for Indies conference

Independent merchants are seeing growth through expansion and diversification, moving from a purely traditional merchant and wholesale model to embrace new revenue streams, the March for the Independents conference heard.

March for the Independents: Harpers exclusive poll finds a growing split between large and small independents

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference and campaign.

To succeed online takes hard work, time and money independents are warned

Driving online sales may be a priority for independent wine merchants, but to do it successfully requires a lot of hard work, takes up a great deal of time and crucially costs a lot of money.

Indies must set the agenda with suppliers to be better buyers hears Harpers conference

It does not matter how good you are at tasting wine, if there is one skill every independent merchant must master it is the power to get the most out of the suppliers you choose to supply your wine.

Shifting retail landscape likely to benefit independents, Wilson says

Shifts expected in the off-trade over the next 12 months are likely to create a "huge opportunity" for independent merchants, according to Tim Wilson of the Wilson Drinks Report.

Independents join forces and debate key issues at Harpers business conference

Independent wine merchants gathered in London yesterday at a conference organised by Harpers Wine & Spirit which put the spotlight firmly on the big issues facing the sector.

Supplier Profile: Hatch Mansfield

Supplier Profile: Ehrmanns Independent Selection

Supplier Profile: Treasury Wine Estates