Independents - 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.

Independents: Collaborate to innovate

Published: 05 December, 2019

Teaming up to bring in ad hoc shipments is ushering in a new wave of collaboration between like-minded independents. Chris Wilson weighs the practicalities and benefits

Specialist Indies talk shop and more...

Published: 13 November, 2019

Independent wine merchants are specialist retailers in their own right offering a service, range and expertise that more general retailers, such as grocers, will always struggle to match.

Indie merchants share favourite Xmas wines and look ahead to 2020

Published: 13 November, 2019

Merchants across the country will be pushing bubbly, Port, Rioja and other Christmas classics this festive season, but before they lock up on Christmas eve what will they be grabbing for their own celebrations?

Wines and spirits instrumental in creating the future’s “creative community hubs”

Published: 07 November, 2019

Wine and spirits stores will be at the forefront of community bonding over the next decade, as retail finds new and inventive ways of keeping customers coming back for more.

Top Selection adds Danish cherry wine estate

Published: 22 October, 2019

Fine wine merchant Top Selection has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for Danish cherry wine estate Frederiksdal.

Wholesale: the last piece of the indie jigsaw

Published: 21 October, 2019

Indie wholesale is on the rise, tapping into a retail ethos of knowledge, service and quality product, writes Andrew Catchpole

My perfect customer: Chris Laidler, Covino

Published: 16 October, 2019

Chester's Covino is a stylish independent wine shop, wine bar and small-plate restaurant boasting over 100 artisan wines. Owner and manager Chris Laidler shares his secrets to attracting new customers and keeping his existing crowd happy.

Q&A: Harpers 50 Best Indies Winner BinTwo

Published: 16 October, 2019

Fresh from topping the table at the annual Harpers 50 Best Indies awards we catch up with Mike Boyne from Padstow’s BinTwo to discover the secrets to his success, how he and the team celebrated and what he has up his sleeve next (spoiler alert: plenty).

Bellavita London unveils expanded events roster

Published: 14 October, 2019

The annual Bellavita Expo London is set to return to Islington’s Business Design Centre next month with a wide range of masterclasses, tastings and discussion panels hosted by Bellavita’s wine academy, BeWine.

Armit appoints new MD

Published: 11 October, 2019

Armit Wines has appointed Brett Fleming as its new MD.

InVivo wine shores-up Armit with £4m investment

Published: 04 October, 2019

France’s InVivo Wine has pumped £4m into Armit Wines to shore-up the London wine merchant’s finances.

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

Social media gives indies plenty of likes

Published: 18 September, 2019

The rapid pace of tech evolution means merchants have even more to gain from platforms in the future says Lisa Riley

My perfect customer: Emily Silva, The Oxford Wine Company

Published: 17 September, 2019

How would you describe your customer base?

Christmas indie predictions: trends and top tips for the festive season

Published: 17 September, 2019

Speaking to independent merchants on the September tasting circuit it’s clear that their minds have already turned to Christmas and what is for them the busiest time of the year.

UK’s 50 Best Indies 2019

Published: 09 September, 2019

Welcome to the UK’s 50 Best Indies 2019, celebrating and elevating those at the top of their game

Daniel Lambert offering up the wine trip of a lifetime

Published: 09 September, 2019

Daniel Lambert Wines has the dream round-the-world ticket up for grabs to the winner of its new independent incentive scheme.

JN Wine snaps up Highbury Vintners

Published: 06 September, 2019

Northern Ireland based JN Wine has acquired independent London merchant Highbury Vintners for an undisclosed sum.

Bon Coeur throws down gauntlet to wine enthusiasts

Published: 30 August, 2019

North Yorkshire based Bon Coeur Fine Wines is marking its 25th anniversary with the launch of a new initiative, which will allow “keen novices” to test their skills as part of a unique tasting panel.