Independents - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Meet the buyers: Tim Gardner, Beckford Bottle Shop

Published: 11 December, 2017

Harpers catches up with leading indie buyer, Tim Gardner, managing director/buyer, Beckford Bottle Shop, on how he ended up in the business of wine

The pros and cons of importing direct

Published: 29 November, 2017

Bypassing the traditional middleman can be tempting for indie merchants says Chris Wilson, who looks at the highs and lows of importing direct.

Meet the buyers: James Hocking, The Vineyard Cellars

Published: 27 November, 2017

Harpers gets the lowdown from specialist retailer buyer James Hocking, wine director at The Vineyard Cellars

Meet the buyers: Alistair Viner, Hedonism

Published: 27 November, 2017

Harpers gets the lowdown from Alistair Viner, head buyer at Hedonism

Meet the buyers: Edward Gerard, Harrods

Published: 27 November, 2017

Harpers gets the lowdown from specialist retailer buyer Edward Gerard, buying manager for wines, spirits and cigars at Harrods

Meet the buyers: Rob Graves, Harvey Nichols

Published: 27 November, 2017

Harpers gets the lowdown from specialist retailer buyers Rob Graves, head of food and wine buying at Harvey Nichols

Corney & Barrow drives growth through Merchant Business

Published: 17 November, 2017

Best known for its high end ‘By Royal Appointment’ fine wine, broker and private customer business, Corney & Barrow is striving to raise the profile of its trade business, which accounts for an increasing part of its 60m turnover year.

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

Champagne Lanson UK bolsters prestige retail division

Published: 28 September, 2017

Champagne Lanson has appointed Christopher Connell as a national account executive in its prestige retail division.

Independent profile: The Good Wine Shop

Published: 19 September, 2017

Andrew Catchpole drops in on The Good Wine Shop where a hybrid-focused refurb is the latest innovation primed to seduce wine drinkers from the south-west London ‘burbs

West Country turns out for SITT Bristol

Published: 19 September, 2017

Yesterday saw the highly popular SITT show return to Bristol, with a high turnover of visitors and strongly positive response from the wine and spirits industry of the West Country.

Indie buyers talk trade ahead of SITT

Published: 15 September, 2017

Ahead of our SITT Autumn tastings, Andrew Catchpole invites independent buyers and smaller suppliers to give their views on the benefits and drawbacks of dealing with such specialist importers

Berry Bros. & Rudd looks back on 50 years in Basingstoke

Published: 31 August, 2017

This week Berry Bros. & Rudd is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of managing its stock in Basingstoke.

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.

Oxford Wine Company goes late with new wine bar

Published: 23 August, 2017

Opening a piano bar may seem far away from being a wine wholesaler but The Oxford Wine Company likes to take the opportunities when they arise.

Deliveroo-tionary: The partnerships changing the delivery game

Published: 26 July, 2017

Jo Gilbert argues that local link-ups such as Deliveroo’s new alcohol partnerships could change the delivery game

Friarwood adds new Italian producers

Published: 19 July, 2017

 Fine wine merchant Friarwood is bolstering its portfolio of Italian wines with two new additions.

Buying direct: Pros & cons

Published: 13 July, 2017

It can be a positive move, but there are issues to be weighed up before buying direct. Lisa Riley reports

The psychology of selling

Published: 12 July, 2017

Think Indie, Drink Indie’s opening discussion explored ways in which merchants can best use merchandising, marketing and experiential events to maximise sales potential.

Vindependents flying high

Published: 05 July, 2017

Two years after its inception, indie merchants buying group Vindependents is thriving. Lisa Riley catches up with managing director Jessica Hutchinson