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Jerry Lockspeiser: Should business get involved in politics? Like it or not, we already are

Published:  22 February, 2024

Back in the good old days when my life involved selling millions of bottles of Hungarian wine to the UK’s major retailers, I made an appointment with the buyer at Sainsbury’s. They bought from one of our competitors and were proving a hard nut for me to crack. Buyers often kept suppliers waiting beyond the appointed time, so I settled down with my copy of The Guardian in anticipation.

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Ellis Wines’ head wine buyer Matthew Cooper passes away

Published:  02 November, 2021

Matthew Cooper, head wine buyer of Ellis Wines, with whom he had worked for 25 years, has sadly passed away.

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M&S buyer Yves Fourcade passes away

Published:  02 September, 2021

Yves Fourcade, senior wine buyer at M&S, has passed away after 35 years at the heart of the supermarket’s buying team.

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Friday read: Retail sales boom belies range stagnation

Published:  17 July, 2020

With supermarket wine sales soaring, buying strategies have altered dramatically, as Angela Mount reports.

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Nick Juby passes away

Published:  19 May, 2020

Popular trade figure Nick Juby has passed away, losing his battle with cancer.

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A taste of the Occitanie

Published:  18 December, 2019

Harpers hosted a round table in association with La Région Occitanie to assess the scope for encouraging UK consumers to trade up in this diverse corner of France

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Q&A: Christine Parkinson, buyer, sommelier & consultant

Published:  29 October, 2019

Parting company with Hakkasan after 18 years, one of the stars of the trade tells Andrew Catchpole what she’s learnt along the way

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Q&A: Xenia Irwin MW, Waitrose Cellar

Published:  07 March, 2019

Xenia Irwin MW, wine buyer at Waitrose Cellar is in revelatory mood as she shares her passion for her job – and some childhood memories. 

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Former Bibendum buyer joins Berry Bros & Rudd

Published:  18 December, 2018

Matt Smith will be joining Berry Bros & Rudd where he will be taking over responsibility for the company’s Italian portfolio.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Are commercial bribes acceptable in the wine business?

Published:  29 August, 2018

A question to test the mettle of any commercial wine buyer: What are the criteria you use to select your wine range?

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Meet The Buyers: Noel Reid, Robinsons Brewery

Published:  29 May, 2018

Our series continues with wine buyer Noel Reid, who oversees the evolving and quality wine portfolio at regional brewer, Robinsons Brewery.

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Meet the buyer: Rachael Leach, director of private client sales, Swig

Published:  06 April, 2018

I got into the trade by accident, after finding out about WSET from an article for a level 2 course that came with (the real attraction) an accompanying daily lunch at José Pizarro’s restaurant. That love of wine and need to get involved was fostered by the blind-tasting team at university, and then a stint at Bancroft in the marketing department.

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Meet the buyers: Robin Davis, owner/wine director, Swig

Published:  26 March, 2018

This month we caught up with the surfers riding the wave of the online wine world

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Meet the buyers: Alistair Viner, Hedonism

Published:  27 November, 2017

Harpers gets the lowdown from Alistair Viner, head buyer at Hedonism

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Ruling the high street

Published:  24 October, 2017

With its diverse own-label portfolio, Marks & Spencer is tearing ahead of its competitors.

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