Independent wine shop Seven Cellars in the Seven Dials neighbourhood of Brighton has been given an eviction date of 26th November by the Co-op. The date lands at the start of festive trading period, as the national retailer seeks to expand an existing store.
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Harpers UK's 50 Best Indies 2026 listing is now open to nominations from the trade.
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“You don’t earn loyalty in a day. You earn loyalty day by day,” counselled US marketing guru and author Jeffrey Gitomer. Yet despite the clear advantages, customer loyalty schemes – ubiquitous across many retail sectors – remain an underused resource among UK independents. The question is, why?
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Creativity among independent retailers is not only a natural product of many proprietors’ entrepreneurial spirit, but increasingly a necessity to help them negotiate the laundry list of financial headwinds they face. Many indie merchants have shown great adaptability, both in terms of in-store and online retail settings, exploring new revenue streams and reinvigorating existing ones to help weather the storm.
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The spring weather finally bounced into view at the end of last month, coinciding with a less-than-sunny outlook for UK businesses via Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement. In the lead up to Reeves’ address, there was hope that businesses would be given a reprieve from the tax hikes announced in the last Autumn Budget. In the end, the 26 March statement was labelled a missed opportunity for failing to reduce, or even scrap, the increases announced in October 2024.
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Condor Wines, the independent South American specialist importer, has partnered with the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) to launch a new membership package, designed specifically for independent merchants.
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As the usual business headwinds seemingly turn to a howling gale, we once again
ask the independent merchants’ sector for their take on what the year ahead holds.
At this year’s SITT London, there was a great sense of importers continuing to push the envelope, showing that despite the headwinds thrown at it, the trade can adapt, and confidently. The same impression was derived from Boutinot’s independents portfolio tasting, where collaboration showed itself to be as important as ever.
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This week marks the launch of our 50 Best Indies 2025 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.
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Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Archie McDiarmid, manager at Luvians Bottleshop in St Andrews, as he reflects on a tough ride for the trade.
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With a raft of new producers folded into its portfolio, Bancroft’s Jon Worsley explains to Andrew Catchpole why he’s cautiously optimistic about the year ahead
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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.
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The influx of new online shoppers looks set to be sustainable, with alcoholic drinks to the fore of this growth in ecommerce.
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Online sales of beers, wines and spirits boomed during May, as the UK’s second month under lockdown drove a record numbers of thirsty consumers to embrace ecommerce.
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Despite the shift from on-trade to home drinking, lockdown could still leave a sobering £7bn hole in UK alcohol sales this year.
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With the on-trade on lockdown, indies have reaped rewards from the pandemic, but will they be able to hang on to their new customers once restrictions are lifted? Lisa Riley investigates.
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The Majestic brand has taken a bullet and is soon to be haemorrhaging stores, handing an opportunity to independents to fill the gap. Jo Gilbert reports
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The Vindependents has launched its first gin, with rum, bourbon, cognac and vodka to follow, as this independent merchant member-owned buying group looks to expand its portfolio into premium spirits.
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Bordeaux stalwarts Maison Sichel has revealed its annual promotion will be heading to Davy’s Wine Merchants this year for the 2018 Sichel Independents Initiative.
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Our September meet the buyers series catches up with the regional wholesalers and distributors tying the trade together.
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