Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

German wine sales soar at royal wine supplier

Published: 09 December, 2019

Sales of German wines at fine wine merchant Justerini & Brooks have rocketed this year.

Enotria interview: Portrait of a modern merchant

Published: 05 November, 2019

Enotria & Coe has reinvented itself in recent years, dusting off it’s old-fashioned approach and emerging as a streamlined, technologocially savvy business. By Andrew Catchpole

Q&A: Riaz Syed, owner, Stonewines

Published: 19 September, 2019

When Riaz Syed opened Stonewines in north London’s Whetstone, he opted for a frequently changing portfolio of more esoteric wines, specifically targeting a younger demographic. Andrew Catchpole dropped by to find out how it’s gone

Harpers teams with Wines Direct to exclusively reveal Consumer Awards 2019

Published: 05 August, 2019

Harpers has teamed up with Wines Direct to exclusively reveal the winners of Wines Direct Consumer Awards 2019 (indies and large merchants) alongside new insight into shopping behaviours drawn from the responses of more than 1,700 consumers

Moreno returns to roots with Flora Fine Wines

Published: 10 April, 2019

Wine trade veteran Abbi Moreno is opening a new venture, Flora Fine Wines, on 11 April bringing a mix of organic, biodynamic and natural wines to northwest London.

Lizzy Rudd confirmed to stay on at helm of BBR

Published: 21 March, 2019

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has confirmed that Lizzy Rudd will maintain her role as executive chairman at the family-owned St James wine merchant.

Q&A: Tom Ashworth, Yapp Brothers

Published: 30 January, 2019

As celebrated Wiltshire merchant Yapp Brothers heads into its 50th anniversary year, chief executive Tom Ashworth talks to James Lawrence about what the months ahead may hold

Vagabond launches urban wine school

Published: 02 January, 2019

Vagabond Wines is adding official wine educator to its ever-growing list of services.

Vindependents gin launch flags further expansion into spirits

Published: 14 November, 2018

The Vindependents has launched its first gin, with rum, bourbon, cognac and vodka to follow, as this independent merchant member-owned buying group looks to expand its portfolio into premium spirits.

House of Townend chairman John E Townend dies

Published: 17 September, 2018

John E Townend, chairman of wine merchants House of Townend has died.

Berry Bros & Rudd sees sales rise

Published: 17 September, 2018

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has seen sales rise by £16M, for the year ending 31 March 2018.

Abbi Moreno plans new hybrid wine business after parting ways with family firm

Published: 13 August, 2018

Abbi Moreno, third generation scion of family wine merchant Moreno Wines, has parted company with her old firm after 21 years, announcing her intention to open a hybrid wine shop-come-wine bar business in early 2019.

IWC UK Merchant Awards returns

Published: 11 May, 2018

The IWC UK Merchant Awards is back for another year, with limited time remaining to sign up.

Lea & Sandeman talks renewed wholesaling focus

Published: 10 April, 2018

Quality London retailer and wholesaler Lea & Sandeman is putting renewed focus into re-building its on-trade wholesale arm, following the tragic death of founding member Patrick Sandeman in 2012.

Independents: The art of being a specialist

Published: 16 October, 2017

Having a speciality can be a boon for a merchant. Andrew Catchpole invites a few to share the pros and cons of sourcing, selling and communicating such an offer

Wanderlust e-merchant sets out to help wine-lovers “explore”

Published: 19 September, 2017

New online wine merchant, Wanderlust, is being launched with the aim of bringing as yet undiscovered artisanal wines from around the world to the UK.

The Good Wine Shop embraces hybrid model

Published: 31 August, 2017

West London merchant The Good Wine Shop has become the latest independent to roll out an on-premise food and wine element to its business with the launch of platters and by-the-glass wines at its Kew shop.

Woodwinters talks plans for London and beyond

Published: 03 July, 2017

Despite the Brexit-induced cloud hanging over London, the draw of the city and pressure from winery partners to be represented in the capital was behind Woodwinters’ decision to open up an office in the south.

Think Indie, Drink Indie returns for a second year

Published: 29 June, 2017

A truly collaborative day was had by all at the second edition of Harpers’ Think Indie, Drink Indie event, which celebrates the UK’s thriving independent sector and also puts the needs of its business community at the centre of a daylong series of events.

Introducing the UK’s 50 Best Indies

Published: 28 June, 2017

Welcome to the second outing of our 50 Best Indies Awards, once again recognising those independent merchants that have done the most to drive forward quality and innovation, while engaging their customers and providing a benchmark for the trade.