10 tips for merchants to improve buying and selling skills for March for the Independents

As part of Harpers ongoing March for the Independents campaign Angela Mount, former head wine buyer for Somerfield and now retail and management consultant for the wine trade, offers her Top 10 tips on how she thinks independent wine merchants can improve their buying and selling skills.

The Benevolent offers magic, music and dancing at its March Ball

The Benevolent is encouraging the drinks trade to reward well performing staff with a night out at the industry charity's ball at London's Dorchester hotel on March 12.

More singers announced and Skin Côntact's Alex Hunt reveals all he knows - and likes - about music

If the thought of wine legends Joe Wadsack and Charles Metcalfe singing along to the sounds of the wine trade's very own rock band Skin Côntact, was not enough to get you to their one off gig on March 9 at London's Vinopolis, then four more singers have just been added to the line up. 

Opportunities ripe for consolidation in independent wine sector, predicts Broderson

The time is right for many independent operators across the wine and spirits sector to seriously consider consolidation in order to strengthen businesses, says drinks mergers and acquisition specialists Broderson & Co.

Merchants urged to get suppliers to sign Best Practice Guidelines for March for Independents

Today Harpers is calling on independent wine merchants across the country to help get their suppliers fully behind the sector by signing up to Harpers' Best Practice Guidelines,  set up to try and ensure relations between independents and suppliers are as effective as possible.

Wine agency suppliers to be hardest hit in Tesco range cull

Tesco's pledge to cut ranges by 30% as part of a massive overhaul of its entire product base will hit wine and spirits suppliers, especially those on the agency side, and is likely to be followed by the other major supermarket chains, industry experts have warned.

Action Week 1 - Getting the most out of your suppliers

Harpers March for the Independents campaign kicks off with retailer survey

Today marks the official start of Harpers March for the Independents campaign which over the next month will put the spotlight firmly on the needs and trading issues facing independent wine merchants.

Wine is now the UK's most popular alcohol drink with 30 million regular drinkers

Wine is now the most popular alcohol drink with 60% of adults, according to a new poll commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Herefordshire English winery looking for UK distributor

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

Merchants get chance to get on top of their business at March for Independents conference

Beer sales on the rise after 10 years of falling sales following back to back duty cuts

WSTA sets out its own general election manifesto to the main political parties

What the drinks industry wants from the next government is laid out today in the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's general election manifesto.

IWC claims retailers can raise millions of pounds in extra sales by using medal stickers

Using award winning wine stickers on bottles can boost total wine sales by up to 15% in retail outlets, equating to millions of pounds in extra sales, according to research released today by the International Wine Challenge.

Power to fine supermarkets for Groceries Code breaches edges closer

The power to fine supermarkets up to 1% of their turnover for breaching the Groceries Code have edged a step closer after being laid in Parliament.

Concha y Toro beefs up push across six core wine brands

Concha y Toro UK is planning a renewed push across six of its core wine brands for 2015, as well as aiming to boost convenience sales.

Accolade sees its Mud House New Zealand wine brand go from 10K cases to 250k in a year

Mud House, the New Zealand wine brand, grew sales 2,500% in the last 12 months from 10,000 9 litre cases to a quarter of a million cases, according to figures released by brand owner Accolade Wines.

Matthew Clark ramps up 'quirky' wine tasting

On-trade supplier Matthew Clark is set to further revamp its annual wine tasting to encourage visitors to step outside their wine comfort zone.

Diageo exposed for extending supplier payment terms to 90 days

Diageo is the latest high profile supplier to be exposed by the national media for trying to exert what has been seen as overt pressure on its suppliers.

John Hearn joins Enotria as off-trade commercial director

Former Diageo Percy Fox global commercial director John Hearn is to become off-trade commercial director at Enotria.