Chink & swig! Welcome to the Drinks Wholesaler

By Andrew Catchpole

Published: 18 February, 2016

We hope you'll enjoy the mix of features, analysis and viewpoints in our launch issue. And, above all, find the content thought-provoking, informative and useful to you, this being the only publication solely dedicated to focusing on the business of wholesaling beers, wines and spirits.

Our aim is to join the dots between those in the industry producing and importing drinks and those retailing at the final point of sale, by providing a lively and inclusive platform that addresses the issues, challenges and opportunities for wholesalers and their customers.

But why launch The Drinks Wholesaler now? The answer is that, having spoken to a wide cross-section of those wholesaling alcoholic drinks up and down the UK, we identified a sector that - despite its size and importance as the lifeblood of the trade - is under-represented in the media and clearly deserving of its own dedicated publication.

Backed by the resources and considerable contacts of our stablemate, Harpers Wine & Spirit, we conducted extensive research into the diverse drinks wholesale sector, identifying the very varied business archetypes, while also surveying what those companies would want from a business-to-business magazine fashioned for their needs.

This, then, is the result, blending a mix of opinion, insights, trends, drinks category updates, business advice and feedback from both wholesalers and their accounts. In short, the people, businesses and issues that shape your working world.

For the first of our regional focuses we were joined by several leading wholesalers from the north west, from companies of every shape and size, in Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter. This to debate ways in which value could be added back into the margin-depressed drinks trade.

What was notable was not just the quality of those who attended, but also the open attitude of rival operators in discussing issues pertinent to the collective health of the trade. You can read what our panel had to say on page 14.

But the real success of that forum was in bringing together a slice of the regional wholesale community in a mutually beneficial way. It was highly enjoyable, too...

There's much to read between these pages, including features on product categories, viewpoints, business-focused pieces and market trends, plus more besides.

But a central part of our remit is continue to build that drinks wholesaler community, encouraging your feedback and contributions, views and insights, to help build a more successful, vibrant and profitable wholesale sector.

Finally, you won't see many images of forklifts, delivery wagons or warehouses in this publication. Because, without wanting to ignore the serious nature of the business, we are looking to inject some of the excitement and buzz that this trade makes possible into our coverage.

And, after all, this is a business predicated on enjoyment, as our thriving and innovative bar, restaurant, pub and drinks retailing scene clearly shows.

Andrew Catchpole, Editor