Independents - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Covid and Brexit: A perfect storm?

Published: 21 October, 2020

With Covid and Brexit uncertainty pressing down ahead of Christmas, Andrew Catchpole asked some of our top 50 Best Indies what lies ahead.

New indie Christmas campaign for Bordeaux

Published: 07 October, 2020

Bordeaux Wines UK has inveiled a new Christmas campaign aimed at independent wine merchants.

50 Best Indies 2020

Published: 11 September, 2020

Padstow’s Bin Two has romped home for a second year running with top placing in our 50 Best Indies 2020 list.

50 Best Indies 2020 countdown ramps up: 30 to 21 revealed

Published: 09 September, 2020

Join us again today as we continue the countdown of our annual Harpers 50 Best Indies awards, which are announced throughout this week (7 to 11 September), culminating in a live webinar with the top 10 on Friday as the final results are announced.

50 Best Indies 2020 countdown is on

Published: 07 September, 2020

Join us as the annual Harpers 50 Best Indies awards are announced throughout this week (7 to 11 September), culminating in a live webinar with the top 10 on Friday as the final results are announced.

Kate Goodman, Reserve Wines: Back to Business Q&A

Published: 25 August, 2020

As the trade measures up to extraordinary times and swings through summer, leading businesses and operators take stock of trading conditions in the new normal.

50 Best Indies count down

Published: 20 August, 2020

Harpers 50 Best Indies awards will be announced throughout the week of 7 to 11 September, culminating in a live webinar with the top 10 on the Friday.

Registration closing soon on Loire Valley indies promotion

Published: 11 August, 2020

Registration is closing soon for the autumn Loire Valley independent wine merchant promotion, on which Harpers is partnering with Loire Valley Wines.

Shop Rioja is back this October

Published: 07 August, 2020

As cooler days and cosier nights roll in this autumn, Shop Rioja is once again calling on independent merchants to join its October campaign.

Jeroboams adds New World agencies

Published: 03 August, 2020

Jeroboams has strengthened its New World offer with the addition of five family-owned wineries to its portfolio, four of which are fresh arrivals in the UK.

Harpers teams up with Loire Valley for indies promotion

Published: 25 June, 2020

Loire Valley Wines is once again to run its popular Independent Wine Merchant promotion this Autumn.

Trade talk: Thinking Independent

Published: 17 June, 2020

With the on-trade shut-down ramping up trade for many independents, Andrew Catchpole brought together merchants for a discussion on business adaptation and how to retain that new custom into the future.

"Impressive" online drinks uplift here to stay

Published: 08 June, 2020

The influx of new online shoppers looks set to be sustainable, with alcoholic drinks to the fore of this growth in ecommerce.

Deadline approaching for July's German Riesling jamboree

Published: 03 June, 2020

Registration for Wines of Germany’s annual #31DaysofGermanRiesling July promotional campaign is soon to close.

Sturges steps down from Jeroboams

Published: 02 June, 2020

London wine merchant Jeroboams is to have a new chief executive, with encumbent Hugh Sturges leaving the role at the end of June.

Indie merchants look to nurture new trade ahead of economic slump

Published: 29 May, 2020

With lockdown easing and non-essential shops beginning to reopen from 15 June, the independent merchant sector is increasingly planning ways of achieving some semblance of ‘normal’ store opening, while balancing health considerations with marked changes in trading conditions.

Living with lockdown – Natalie Tennent, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Published: 22 May, 2020

Jo Gilbert caught up with Natalie Tennent, chief operating officer of London merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd about a large part of the business going into hibernation, while preparing for a shift in gears when lockdown eases.

Online uplands: scaling the new heights

Published: 22 May, 2020

Moving to online sales has saved more than one drinks retailer in recent weeks and all the signs point to the model continuing, finds Andrew Catchpole.

31 Days of German Riesling powers ahead

Published: 19 May, 2020

July is still the month for German Riesling in the UK, with the promotion once again heading back to British businesses.

Indies: Retaining new customers once ‘normality’ resumes

Published: 15 May, 2020

With the on-trade on lockdown, indies have reaped rewards from the pandemic, but will they be able to hang on to their new customers once restrictions are lifted? Lisa Riley investigates.