Oddbins "positive" about double-digit growth

By Richard Siddle

Published: 11 October, 2013

Oddbins is on track to report double-digit growth for 2013 compared to last year, according to wine buyer, Ana Sapungui.

In an interview on today's Harpers.co.uk, Sapungui said the mood at Oddbins was "positive" and that it was seeing encouraging growth and interest from consumers in the vital £7 to £15 category.

She said: "I know that as a company we are in double-digit growth up from last year - how that relates to profitability is for the accountants to discuss. But we are positive, we like the trend. What we feel is that people are prepared to spend the money but are inquisitive and want to know why that is the case. For us, the key price bracket is between £7 and £15 and I am very happy about that. You'll find that customers actually come in to the stores to spend £7, £8 or £9 and that's really reassuring."

The Oddbins estate has now grown to 34 shops and it is looking to build its online presence through its revamped website. Sapangui explained: "We've got a new website and so we are really at the very beginning of working online - this is to become the core of our business, we are in the process of putting everything online."

It is also deliberately looking to engage with customers online not through price promotions but through activities such as "The Listing" which could see them help Oddbins stock a wine that they have discovered themselves whilst on holiday.

Oddbins, she said, would continue to look to champion the less mainstream wine countries and regions. "I try to find regions that are either unexplored or off the beaten track but equally good value. Portugal has been a fantastic category for us, I did start on it last year and it's half the size of Spain in terms of what it delivers to the company. And Greece has been particularly important to us, too."

· Ana Sapungui will be presenting a masterclass at the Harpers France Summit on Debunking the Myth - how premium French wine can deliver great value. The summit takes place on October 22 at London's St Ermin's hotel. To register email joanna.gibson@wrbm.com and more details go to www.francesummit.com

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