Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021: 31-50

Published: 07 September, 2021

Welcome to the release of our second tranche of our 50 Best Indies list, from 31-40, also featuring all of those that have made it into the 31-50 ranking so far.

Selling independence

Published: 02 August, 2021

With on-trade reopening still disrupted, Andrew Catchpole assesses the impact and opportunities for indies’ wholesale operations.

Co-op becomes first supermarket to sell Chateau La Negly

Published: 07 July, 2021

Languedoc producer Chateau La Negly has made its wine available to buy for the first time at a UK supermarket with a launch into Co-op.

Start-up Propeller brings The Rolland Collection to the UK

Published: 08 June, 2021

Indies distribution incubator Propeller is bringing The Rolland Collection to the UK as it continues to grows its model-defying footprint.

Backing a (indie) winning wine

Published: 02 June, 2021

The countries and regions most tipped by UK merchants to be the year’s hot new thing. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Brexit: Counting the cost

Published: 17 May, 2021

Far from fading away, the ‘B’ word still greatly troubles indie merchants, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Lay & Wheeler records ‘best year’ in a decade

Published: 11 May, 2021

Lay & Wheeler has announced its best year in over a decade, reporting a 57% value sales increase for the year ending 29 March 2021.

Jeroboams launches first exclusive spirit

Published: 30 March, 2021

London wine merchant Jeroboams has launched its very first exclusive spirit, a WhistlePig Single Barrel 10-Year-Old Rye Whiskey.

Indies survey highlights 2021

Published: 23 March, 2021

Andrew Catchpole rounds up some of the comments on customer spending habits from the annual Harpers poll

Five minutes with Jaime Wynne-Griffiths

Published: 18 March, 2021

When Jamie Wynne-Griffiths, founder and MD, Propeller and Wild Ferment, sought to pivot lost business to connect the producers he represented with the indies, Propeller was born, facilitating direct supply in partnership with EWGA bond.

Walker & Wodehouse unveils virtual tastings

Published: 16 March, 2021

Bibendum’s Walker & Wodehouse has unveiled a series of virtual tastings for customers.

Independents: Supercharging the entry-level offer

Published: 11 March, 2021

Most independent merchants understandably shy away from the term ‘entry level’, preferring to focus attention on quality and individuality across all levels of wine.

Jeroboams reveals plans to almost double estate

Published: 08 March, 2021

Jeroboams has revealed plans to open up to seven new shops in London during the next few years.

Indies: Staying ahead

Published: 22 February, 2021

A new year is likely to bring new challenges for indies looking to hold on to new custom, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Last chance to register for AWMB indies promotion

Published: 17 February, 2021

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) is inviting indies to promote its wines as part of its Austrian Wine Time promotion to be in what a chance to win a 'special prize'.

Jeroboams appoints Lucie Parker as trade director

Published: 17 February, 2021

Jeroboams Trade, the wholesale business within the independent Jeroboams Group, has appointed Lucie Parker to the role of trade director.

Lay & Wheeler snaps up further ex-Berry Bros staff

Published: 27 January, 2021

Lay & Wheeler has appointed a new head of operations, while also expanding its private clients team as part of the company’s growth strategy.

Indies survey: Health check 2020

Published: 21 January, 2021

The loss of the on-trade was obviously a huge blow to the UK drinks sector in 2020. In all parts of the UK, the forced shuttering of hospitality has wreaked havoc on both economic and mental wellbeing. For independent businesses, this has often meant the loss of a major chunk of sales in terms of wholesale trade, with an entire source of revenue lost overnight.

AWMB unveils retail promotion in support of indies

Published: 19 January, 2021

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) has, in partnership with Harpers, launched a specialised retail promotion in support of independent retailers.

WSTA webinar to offer indies “essential” advice on 1 January trading preparations

Published: 26 November, 2020

Fine wine and independent merchants are being invited to attend a free ‘Essential Preparations for 1 January Trading’ webinar hosted by the Wine & Spirit Association (WSTA) on 2 December.