Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company: what I want from my suppliers

As an independent wine merchant one of the important and challenging jobs is how we deal and negotiate with suppliers. These can be large national companies or small boutique operations and we could be dealing with anything from the old fashioned "rep" to owners, directors or winemakers.

No sign of slowdown in sparkling wine growth

Sparkling wine sales are showing no signs of slowing down - volumes rocketed 20% in the second quarter of 2014.

Guy Woodward: no more ivory tower posturing, let's get personal with consumers

Harpers is pleased to announce it has signed up Guy Woodward, former editor of Decanter, as a regular columnist and contributor.This month he tips his cap to the creative minds at Naked Wines and other innovative retail sites that are genuinely communicating to consumers in a way they can understand and says there are so many lessons to be learnt from the old school wine trade still stuck in its ivory tower. 

Naked Wines has 50% increase in number of Angels and 40% sales growth in 2013

Naked Wines released it financial performance results today for 2013 which includes a 40% increase in sales reaching £53 million driven by a 50% increase in the number of Angel investors.

France Summit to focus on how the country is adapting to UK consumer needs

Harpers will once again be turning the spotlight well and truly on the ins and outs, ups and downs of the French wine category as the French Summit returns for its second year on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

How retailers are using consumers to drive their brand image and strategy

The new, all-singing, all-dancing London Wine Fair was an apt setting for Harpers debate on how companies can harness consumer power to drive their businesses forward.

Independent wine merchants report sales hikes of up to 30%

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20 and 30%.

Why wine clubs need up their game to fully engage with their members

Hannah Saunders, international and UK business development director for contract publishing company, Cedar Communications, assesses the merits of the retailer wine clubs and finds many could take lessons from other sectors on how to fully engage and interact with their customers and members.

Beermoth looks to bring US style beer retailing to Manchester

Specialist beer shops have joined the 21^st century, among them Beermoth, in central Manchester's hip northern quarter, and set up by Scot Davies, a former manager at the city's The Knott bar, and American Jeremy Stull, who worked at the esteemed Port Street Beer house.

Wine Vision to focus on how industry must adapt to millennials' needs

Wine Vision's return to London in November will examine key issues affecting growth in the industry as relationships between wine brands and consumers change and competition from spirits and beer intensifies.

Nik Darlington plays out the World Cup for real - with the world of wine

You could cut the tension with a grissino. The shoot-out was tied at 2-2, both sides' fans on tenterhooks.

Costco set to launch new craft beer offer

Costco Wholesale UK is poised to break into the craft beer market, the £1.7bn turnover warehouse club chain has revealed.

Tesco to host a live online summer wine taste along

British Airways pilot and flight attendant wife team to open Salut Wines in Manchester

A British Airways pilot and his first class flight attendant wife hope their new wine merchants, Salut Wine, which opens in Manchester in August,  will help keep their feet firmly on the floor with what they claim will have the largest Enomatic machine installation in the city. 

Major global speakers lined up for Wine Vision 2014

An international line up of major global wine players is being built up for the second Wine Vision event, being run in association with Harpers, in London between November 17 and 19.

UK wine buyers more cautious to try new ideas than in Europe says Origin's Bernard Fontannaz

It is easier to convince retail buyers in Europe to take on new wine ideas and designs than it is in the UK, according to Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wines.

Britain continues to drink through the World Cup despite England's exit

England may have crashed out of the World Cup but the nation is continuing to drink through it, according to the latest figures released by the Wilson Drinks Report.

Premium bottled ale is set to be a £1bn category by 2020 as demand rises

 The premium bottled ale category is on course to be worth £1 billion by 2020 if current trends and interest in craft beers and premium ales continues, according to leading brewer Marston's.

Felix Solis claims it can be "category captain" for Spain for multiple retailers

Felix Solis is in the position to act as "category captain" for Spain for any of the major UK retailers, according to Félix Solís Ramos, the group's export and marketing manager. 

World Cup boosts sparkling wine sales by 25% in week one

The World Cup's first week saw off-trade sparkling wine sales up 25%, but beer and cider were the real winners with sales boosted by well over 40% thanks to the football.