Take 5 With - SITT special

In the first in a new series talking to specialist independent suppliers appearing at this year's SITT, we get the low-down from Miguel Leal at Casa Leal.

Take part here in consultation on independent and supplier relations

Harpers Wine & Spirit is continuing with its consultation with independent wine merchants to determine what points of principle they would like to see suppliers follow when serving the independent sector and whether they would like to see a supplier code of practice.

Jamie Hutchinson: Fighting for independents

Harpers Debate: indies and suppliers go head to head

Leading independent wine retailers and suppliers will come together next month to debate whether a suppliers' charter should be established to regulate how wine is sold.

UK riots: £80m in lost sales for retailers

The cost of riots across England is put at £80 million in lost sales for retailers, according to research from Kelkoo.

£20 million fund to help businesses caught up in UK riots

The Prime Minister has made £20 million available and unveiled a series of emergency measures to help businesses affected by riots.

Jamie Hutchinson calls for suppliers' charter

Independent wine merchant Jamie Hutchinson has called for a suppliers' charter to be set up for any business serious about servicing the independent sector.

Suppliers hit back at Hutchinson's 'leakage' claims

Suppliers have hit back at Jamie Hutchinson's claims they have not been supporting independents, and say there are enough wines for all sectors to choose from.

Jamie Hutchinson calls for suppliers' charter

Independent wine merchant Jamie Hutchinson has called for a suppliers' charter to be set up for any business serious about servicing the independent sector.

Top Merchants seminar on how to expand your business moves to July 13

Harpers' Top Merchants seminar on expanding your business has been moved to a new date of July 13 and will now look at all the various ways in which independents are growing their businesses from taking on new sites to offering new services such as wholesaling, direct sales and café/deli operations.

Top merchants seminar on the do's and don'ts of expanding your business

The highs and lows of expanding your business by taking on more stores will be the topic of the next Top Merchants day to be held on June 8 at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy.

Best of the best indie merchants crowned

The brightest independent wine merchants in the country have been recognised in Harpers' Top Merchants awards, presented at Vinopolis last night (Wednesday February 23).

UK's finest wine indies to reap rewards

The country's finest independent wine retailers will be celebrated at the first-ever Top Merchants awards ceremony next week.

Stephen Forward blog: Gross profits aids sustainability

Every now and then I stumble across independent wine retailers selling exclusive product lines on
tiny gross profit margins. I used to ask myself how on earth can they could sell at those prices and stay in business. A year or two later I would discover that these very same retailers had gone bust: the answer to my question was, of course, "they can't".

Richard Siddle, comment December 17

And so this is Christmas, another year over and a new one about to be begin. With all due respects to Mr Lennon it has been another eventful year in the world of wine and spirits.

Australia's First Families of Wine launches second year of UK activity

Australia's First Families of Wine (AFFW) has launched its second year of UK activity.

Inverarity Vaults opens Edinburgh wine bar

Inverarity Vaults has opened its first wine bar in Edinburgh at the city's Festival Theatre under its One to One retail brand.

Barwell & Jones takes on premium Aussie wines

Barwell & Jones has added premium Western Australian winery Willow Bridge Estate to its portfolio.

Alcohol sales to plummet over Christmas

Oddbins launches new off-licence and convenience store concept

Oddbins has launched a new off-licence and convenience store concept called Oddies.