Suppliers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Woodwinters plans UK-wide reach from new London office

Published: 29 June, 2017

Scottish agency and fine wine merchants Woodwinters is heading south of the border in order to give its agencies better distribution around the UK.

Berkmann’s Jacquie Kay passes away

Published: 26 June, 2017

It is with great sadness that Harpers has learned of the passing of Berkmann Wine Cellars long-serving sales director, Jacquie Kay.

Spotlight on Off-Piste Wines

Published: 22 June, 2017

Off-Piste Wines is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Established by long-term business colleagues Paul Letheren and Anthony Fairbank, the company has grown from a tiny embryo to one of the most respected supermarket suppliers in the UK, with a focused business model, and a turnover of around £30 million.

New Morrisons listing for Viñalba and Buckingham Schenk

Published: 21 June, 2017

Buckingham Schenk has added new Malbec rosé to its Viñalba wine label as the brand celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

David Gleave MW: 20 years of Liberty Wines

Published: 14 June, 2017

The year is 1997.

Distell revives Angostura distribution deal

Published: 01 June, 2017

Distell, Africa’s leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders and RTDs has announced it is reviving its distribution partnership in the UK with Angostura, world’s largest producer of aromatic bitters.

Movers and Shakers: Conviviality, Justerini & Brooks, Douglas Laing

Published: 26 May, 2017

A number of key appointments and distribution agreement have been percolating through the trade this week.

Sales almost double at Conviviality

Published: 25 May, 2017

Conviviality, the owner of Bargain Booze, has seen sales nearly double in the past year to pass the £1.5bn mark.

The independent alcohol wholesaler and distributor, which agreed a £60m deal to acquire wine, spirit and beer distributor Bibendum in May last year, said sales were up from £841m to £1.56bn in a trading statement released this morning (52 w/e to 30 April, 2017).

Net debt was £99 million – “comfortably below” Conviviality’s target, it said, adding the positive results were in line with the board’s expectations.

The integration of Bibendum, together with wine wholesaler Matthew Clark which it bought in 2015, was “progressing well”, said chief executive, Diana Hunter.

"Our focus will continue to be on improving the business and ensuring that benefits are realised from our greater scale, as we drive efficiencies for the group and greater service for our customers.”

Conviviality, which re-organised its activities into three business units during the year – Direct, Retail and Trading, reported growth for each, with sales up 6.4%, 6.1% and 1% respectively.

"We have come to the end of an unprecedented year of change and I am pleased to report a strong trading performance for the group and for each of its business units,” said Hunter.

The LWF: A UK-focused event

Published: 18 May, 2017

Jo Gilbert looks ahead to the most important event in the trade calendar, now in its fourth year of consolidation since becoming a UK-focused fair

Brighton Gin founder joins JF Hillebrand

Published: 18 May, 2017

Logistics provider JF Hillebrand UK has appointed a new business development manager of Porter and Laker, the company’s UK-focused fine wine division.

Liberty Wines apprenticeship scheme returns

Published: 16 May, 2017

Liberty Wines’ apprentice scheme is once again open, offering one - or possibly two - plucky newcomers the chance to get ahead in the world of premium wine.