March for Independents: new online and EU labelling regulations for merchants

There is a whole raft of legislation that retailers need to be on top to make sure they are on top what are termed as "distance sales", wine lawyer Andrew Park advises.   

March for Independents: keep on top of waste packaging and avoid big fines

Today as part of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on waste packaging. Not the most glamorous of topics but if you are an independent wine merchant, importing or distributing wine then you need to make sure you are compliant with your recycling oblilgations or risk potentially crippling fines.

March for Independents campaign keeps merchants on right side of the law

Today Harpers starts its third Action Week initiative as part of its March for the Independents campaign with a focus on helping merchants keep on top of the latest changes in business, employment and drinks legislation.

March for Independents campaign keeps merchants on right side of the law

Today Harpers starts its third Action Week initiative as part of its March for the Independents campaign with a focus on helping merchants keep on top of the latest changes in business, employment and drinks legislation.

Calling on wine and spirits producers around the world to back Drop the Duty campaign

Today Harpers is calling on wine and spirits producers around the world concerned about the high alcohol duty levels in the UK to get involved in the Drop the Duty campaign and have their voice heard by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

MPs back Drop the Duty campaign by taking trade's duty call to the Chancellor

MPs across the country are starting to respond to independent wine merchants and members of the wider wine and spirits industry who have contacted them through the Drop the Duty campaign calling on them to lobby the Chancellor for a 2% duty cut in the March Budget.

Cambridge Wine's Hal Wilson urges independents to lobby their MP for duty cut

Following yesterday's call by Harpers to independent wine merchants to play their part in the industry wide campaign to convince the Chancellor to issue a duty cut on wine and spirits in his March Budget, leading independent Hal Wilson of Cambridge Wine Merchants today explains why he has personally lobbied his local MP, the Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert, and urges other merchants to do the same.

Action Week 2: Call to indies to lobby local MP and media for a Drop in Duty

Harpers is today calling on independent wine merchants across the UK to lobby both their MP and local media to back the Drop the Duty campaign and help raise the profile of their business on this key business issue.

Scotch Whisky Association goes to Westminster asking government to support trade and drop duty

The Scotch Whisky Association argued this week at Westminster that as a £5 billion industry and a vital part of the UK economy the government should implement measures that support the sector and cut duty by 2%

12 ways indies can work better with suppliers says Les Grands Chais de France

A growing list of major wine suppliers and producers are now seriously looking to work closer and more effectively with independent wine merchants. Here Tim North, UK director for Les Grands Chais de France, one of the largest French wine producers with estates in all the main wine growing regions, offers his advice to merchants on how to buy and then market and sell their wines. Les Grands Chais de France is one of the partner suppliers behind the March for the Independents campaign.

10 tips for merchants to improve buying and selling skills for March for the Independents

As part of Harpers ongoing March for the Independents campaign Angela Mount, former head wine buyer for Somerfield and now retail and management consultant for the wine trade, offers her Top 10 tips on how she thinks independent wine merchants can improve their buying and selling skills.

Action Week 1 - Getting the most out of your suppliers

Harpers March for the Independents campaign kicks off with retailer survey

Today marks the official start of Harpers March for the Independents campaign which over the next month will put the spotlight firmly on the needs and trading issues facing independent wine merchants.

Merchants get chance to get on top of their business at March for Independents conference

Cambridge Wine's Hal Wilson leads the way and gets local MP to back Drop the Duty campaign

Leading independent wine merchant, Hal Wilson of Cambridge Wine Merchants, has shown the way forward by persuading his local MP to stand up for a drop in wine and spirits duty in March's Budget by writing to Chancellor, George Osborne calling for a change.

Top indies and trade experts lined up for March for Independents conference

Leading sales, buying, finance, management, legal and employment specialists have been lined up to speak at Harpers dedicated conference for independent wine merchants in London on March 3.

March for the Independents campaign to put spotlight on wine merchants

Today Harpers is officially launching its most ambitious project yet to support and promote independent wine merchants. Here's how you can get involved in March for the Independents

March for The Independents campaign gathers momentum for national conference on March 3

Harpers new campaign to help support and put the spotlight on independent wine merchants is gathering momentum as leading independents line up to take part in a dedicated one day conference in London on March 3.

WSTA and SWA call for 2% duty cut with launch of Drop the Duty! campaign

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association and the Scotch Whisky Association have teamed up to launch the Drop the Duty campaign which calls for a 2% cut in alcohol duty in the March Budget, saying it will boost public finances by £1.5 billion. 

Wine and spirit industries to unite in combined campaign for 2% duty cut in 2015 Budget

The wine and spirits industry is to unite under a combined campaign and consider calling for a 2% cut in alcohol duty in the 2015 Budget.