Think Indie, Drink Indie: Independent insight

By Andrew Catchpole

Published: 08 July, 2016

Independent merchants to take centre stage at Think Indie, Drink Indie symposium

Harpers exciting new Think Indie, Drink Indie initiative is to bring together the UKs leading independent merchants on July 12 for a day long event that will explore the opportunities and challenges for this dynamic sector.

Designed in part around the feedback from a comprehensive Harpers survey of the UK indie trade, the day will feature a packed agenda, ranging from discussion forums on 'Building your Business' and 'Selling your Independence' to workshops on engaging with younger consumers and rethinking your portfolio, with ample indie-focused tasting and relaxed networking too at M Restaurant in the City of London.

Our survey, published in the July print edition of Harpers, identified four key areas where independent merchants see the greatest opportunity to grow their businesses, forming the backbone for our morning Building your Business forum.

Introduced by speakers including Stephen Finch of Vagabond Wines, Moez Seraly of Perfect Cellar, Matthew Hennings of Hennings Wine and Ruth Spivey of Wine Car Boot, this will feature breakout session based on the strongest of those results, to include: Capitalising on hybrid business models; maximising online sales; developing the wholesale operation; and making the most of events and collaboration.

Meanwhile, OLN editor Martin Green will be hosting a 'Selling your Independence' discussion forum in the aftenoon, with a high profile panel examing how merchants can best leverage their individual, quality-driven business apporoach to pull in the customers, while two further workshops on attracting the younger generation of consumers and maximising the impact of your drinks offer will be guided by iconoclastic consultant Christopher Cooper during the course of the day.

Harpers will also be unveiling our new 50 Best Indies awards, with a countdown of the best in the business taking place towards the end of the day.

The aim of Think Indie, Drinks Indie is that all will leave better informed and better equipped to deal with the challenges of growing an independent business in a tough retail environment and we hope to see many of you there for what promises to be both an enjoyable and highly informative day.

Think Indie, Drink Indie

When: 12 July 2016

Where: M Restaurant, Threadneedle Street, London

The Agenda:

10.00AM: Think Indie, Drink Indie opens

10.00AM-5.00PM: Tasting area open

10.30AM-12.15PM: Building your Business discussion forum

12.30PM-1.15PM: Wine Generation workshop

1.00PM-2.00PM: Networking lunch

1.45PM-2.30PM: Wine Portfolios, Rethinking your Drinking workshop

2.30PM-4.00PM Selling your Independence discussion forum

4.30PM onwards: The UK's 50 Best Indies Awards countdown