Wine Planet spins out of UK orbit

Published: 23 July, 2008

Virgin to host UK site

Virgin Wines has taken over the UK operations, logistics and stock of troubled e-tailer, Wine Planet. According to Chris Mitchell, marketing and PR director of Virgin Wines: "We will be hosting' the Wine Planet site, it will be a version of our site and will be co-branded. We will be pooling resources and we will be buying for both." Rowan Gormley, CEO of Virgin Wines, said: "This is a good deal for us. Not only does it broaden our proposition in the market, it allows us direct access to products and ideas from one of the most exciting and dynamic wine countries in the world." Mark Mezrani, CEO of Wine Planet, said: "This deal allows us to concentrate on developing our core Australian market while ensuring that our loyal UK customers continue to get great service and excellent wines." Rob Hawkings, financial director of Wine Planet Holdings, the Australian parent company, explained: "The decision is largely a financial one, based on the cost of customer acquisition. A key part of our decision was our responsibility to shareholders in Australia."

Printer friendly version