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2014 Review and Hopes and Fear for 2015: Direct Wine Shipments Neal McAlindon

Published:  24 December, 2014

Neal McAlindon, director at Belfast's Direct Wine Shipments, tells Harpers.co.uk why 2014 has been another good year, despite tricky market conditions in Northern Ireland.

Neal McAlindon Direct Wine Shipments' Neal McAlindon (far left), pictured with his winemaking rugby friends

Neal McAlindon, director at Belfast's Direct Wine Shipments, tells Harpers.co.uk why 2014 has been another good year, despite tricky market conditions in Northern Ireland.

How was 2014 for you/your business?

2014 has been another good year for DWS-McAlindon wines despite very competitive conditions. Northern Ireland is a very different market than the rest of the UK though we, like elsewhere, are in competition with the main supermarket chains such as Tesco and Sainsbury's and the cost cutters  - primarily Lidl.

Luckily by importing from more smaller suppliers with different brands and labels we have been able to help the independent off licence trade here compete quite favourably with the supermarket behemoths.

What do you think were the most significant things that happened/ issues/trends that occurred in 2014?

Our IWSC Independent Retailer of the Year Award from last year helped raise our profile further both locally, nationally and internationally for both retail and trade sales.

Our trade distribution company McAlindon Wines continued its growth with the independent, quality driven restaurants of Greater Belfast and beyond (the increase in Tourism has been a godsend despite the forecast of massive cuts in all parts of the public sector).

Any significant partnerships started in 2014?

A relationship with oval shaped balls has also given us a new market to explore.

We were appointed in spring Northern Ireland agents for the Ballybosch wines from rugby stars Ruan Pienaar and Robbie Diack and their associate winery Brenaissance.

We've been very impressed with the quality price ratio for the Ballybosch duo (and the depth of support from the rugby community in this part of Ireland).

Being more of a soccer fan, the whole experience has been enlightening.

What opportunities are you most looking forward to working on in 2015?

Carrying the sporting theme further, we are really looking forward to becoming the Northern Ireland agent for Roy Keane's new boutique Poteen/Poitín, entitled Kick Yer Head In. Release date 01.04.15.

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