Indie Q&A: Andrew Lundy, Vino

Vino’s boss is a familiar face well beyond the Edinburgh scene, but his passion remains rooted in retailing great wine to locals. Andrew Catchpole dropped by.

Bristol indie bucks belt tightening trend

Despite the cost-of-living crisis affecting consumer up and down the country, at least one independent has reported booming sales of its fine wines.

Theatre of Wine celebrates hitting 20

London’s Theatre of Wine has turned 20, marking two decades since founder Daniel Illsley founded the merchant in Greenwich following the new wave of wine interest created by Oddbins and Majestic.

Upbeat mood at Vindependents tasting

Signs that life is returning to something closer to normal, at least for the UK’s independent merchants, were borne out in London yesterday (17 January) at a well-attended Vindependents tasting in Camden.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Matt Tipping, CEO, Jeroboams

Matt Tipping reflects on keeping the wheels turning through 2021 and how valuable new custom should bring cheer into the new year, despite the looming additional tax burden on wine.

Yuletide cheer

With supply and delivery issues forcing indies to be nimble and imaginative for the Christmas rush, Andrew Catchpole asked a trio of merchants how they prepared for the festive sales spike in such an unpredictable year.

Indies: Sustainable steps

With sustainability roaring back to the top of the agenda, Harpers surveyed the indie sector to discover what demonstrable initiatives, innovations and actions leading merchants have implemented on their green journey.

Q&A: Cassie Gould, AKA ‘The Boss’, Butlers Wine Cellar

Q&A: Sam Owens, founder, Thirsty Cambridge

With his iconoclastic and straight-talking approach, Sam Owens walks Andrew Catchpole through life as a moreishly modern indie

Import-export webinar: A Taste of New York

Andrew Catchpole brought together leading NY state winemakers with UK merchants to explore Indie Opportunities from the Empire State

Liv-ex offers checklist for merchants looking to accelerate e-sales

Liv-ex has given a number of pointers to indie merchants who are looking to move sales online.

Living with lockdown - Jeroboams

Hugh Sturges, MD at Jeroboams, gives Lisa Riley a glimpse of the realities of coping with lockdown

Living with lockdown - Oxford Wine Company

Ted Sandbach, MD, at Oxford Wine Company, gives Lisa Riley a glimpse of the realities of life as a multifaceted indie merchant adjusting to lockdown.

Davy’s launches anniversary celebrations

Davy’s is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a year-long programme of competitions, events and special offers for customers in its wine bars, shops and online from this week.

Wholesale: the last piece of the indie jigsaw

Indie wholesale is on the rise, tapping into a retail ethos of knowledge, service and quality product, writes Andrew Catchpole

Q&A: Harpers 50 Best Indies Winner BinTwo

Fresh from topping the table at the annual Harpers 50 Best Indies awards we catch up with Mike Boyne from Padstow’s BinTwo to discover the secrets to his success, how he and the team celebrated and what he has up his sleeve next (spoiler alert: plenty).

Looking ahead: Sara Salut, co-founder and owner, Salut Wines

As the first half of 2019 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Jeroboams: growing an empire

With Jeroboams’ takeover of Prohibition Wines now complete, Jo Gilbert caught up with the London merchant to find out how it continues to successfully adapt its DNA

Moreno returns to roots with Flora Fine Wines

Wine trade veteran Abbi Moreno is opening a new venture, Flora Fine Wines, on 11 April bringing a mix of organic, biodynamic and natural wines to northwest London.

Latest round of Vindependents share options support growth

Members of the independent merchant-owned Vindependents have voted to issue a new round of share options in the company, allowing new members that take up the offer to have a say in how the buying group is run.