Chiefs of the Week: the UK's independent wine merchants

For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.

Diversifying in to cafes, bars and events are key for growth hears March for Indies conference

Independent merchants are seeing growth through expansion and diversification, moving from a purely traditional merchant and wholesale model to embrace new revenue streams, the March for the Independents conference heard.

March for the Independents: Harpers exclusive poll finds a growing split between large and small independents

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference and campaign.

To succeed online takes hard work, time and money independents are warned

Driving online sales may be a priority for independent wine merchants, but to do it successfully requires a lot of hard work, takes up a great deal of time and crucially costs a lot of money.

Indies must set the agenda with suppliers to be better buyers hears Harpers conference

It does not matter how good you are at tasting wine, if there is one skill every independent merchant must master it is the power to get the most out of the suppliers you choose to supply your wine.

Independents join forces and debate key issues at Harpers business conference

Independent wine merchants gathered in London yesterday at a conference organised by Harpers Wine & Spirit which put the spotlight firmly on the big issues facing the sector.

Harpers independents' poll reveals growing split between performance of UK wine merchants

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference being held today in London.

Merchants across the country gather for Harpers March for the Independents conference

Independent wine merchants from across the UK will be heading to London tomorrow for Harpers March for the Independents conference offering business insights, advice and the chance to network with fellow retailers.

March for Indies: Still time to get local MP and media on side and back duty campaign

Harpers is today repeating its calll out to independent wine merchants across the UK to lobby both their MP and local media to back the Drop the Duty campaign and invite both to their business so that they can hear their story for themselves.

March for Indies: 10 ways to boost sales and business through Twitter

Twittter is no longer just a way to communicate, keep in touch and build your audience, it can also really help to drive sales and bring new and existing customers to your business.

March for Independents: Action Week 4 offers data and insights to help drive profits

As we enter the final Action Week of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on the market trends, insights and data that will help independent wine merchants ensure they have the rights wines and spirits on shelf at the right price.

March for Independents: 13 ways for retailers to keep on top of business law

Stephen Forward of the independent wine merchant business, Essentially Wine, gives a personal insight into how retailers like himself get on top of all the small business regulation.

March for Independents: new online and EU labelling regulations for merchants

There is a whole raft of legislation that retailers need to be on top to make sure they are on top what are termed as "distance sales", wine lawyer Andrew Park advises.   

March for Independents: keep on top of waste packaging and avoid big fines

Today as part of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on waste packaging. Not the most glamorous of topics but if you are an independent wine merchant, importing or distributing wine then you need to make sure you are compliant with your recycling oblilgations or risk potentially crippling fines.

UK wine industry backs calls for alcohol duty cut

The UK's growing wine industry has called for the Chancellor to cut the high rate of alcohol duty rate by 2% in the upcoming Budget.

Ruth Yates, Corks Out

MPs back Drop the Duty campaign by taking trade's duty call to the Chancellor

MPs across the country are starting to respond to independent wine merchants and members of the wider wine and spirits industry who have contacted them through the Drop the Duty campaign calling on them to lobby the Chancellor for a 2% duty cut in the March Budget.

WSTA meets Treasury to call for 2% alcohol duty cut

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is today meeting with the Treasury to present its 2015 Budget submission calling for a 2% cut in wine and spirits duty.

Cambridge Wine's Hal Wilson urges independents to lobby their MP for duty cut

Following yesterday's call by Harpers to independent wine merchants to play their part in the industry wide campaign to convince the Chancellor to issue a duty cut on wine and spirits in his March Budget, leading independent Hal Wilson of Cambridge Wine Merchants today explains why he has personally lobbied his local MP, the Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert, and urges other merchants to do the same.

Action Week 2: Call to indies to lobby local MP and media for a Drop in Duty

Harpers is today calling on independent wine merchants across the UK to lobby both their MP and local media to back the Drop the Duty campaign and help raise the profile of their business on this key business issue.