Richard Siddle, comment November

Independent wine merchants have a lot to live up to. Time and again when you talk to producers, distributors, agents or wholesalers it is the independent sector they put up on a pedestal. Be it in relation to what they have already achieved, or in most cases, the potential for what they could achieve in the future.

As the grocery multiples' grip on the mass, branded wine and entry level wine categories becomes even stronger, there are many in the UK drinks industry who look at the independent sector as their salvation. Where else can they get to stock their specialist, or premium beers, wines, or spirits?

On the one hand it offers huge opportunities for independents right across the country, but at the same time places a great deal of pressure on small businesses and individuals to be operating in a way that allows them to make the most of what the sector is offering them. To try and play our part in helping the independent trade understand and maximise those opportunities we are today launching our Top Merchants initiative.

We are looking to invite all leading, premium focused independent merchants to become part of what we hope will be a forum by which we can provide help, support and information on key trading issues and trends whilst at the same time providing a unique networking opportunity for independents to come together and share ideas and experiences.

To become a Top Merchant you will need to demonstrate that you are predominantly a high street retailer focused on providing a premium drinks offer to your customers. A business that is looking to educate and inform its customers, and staff around the value of investing in quality wine and spirits and a business that operates to the highest retail and responsibility standards.

In return we will provide you with point of sale to promote yourself as a Top Merchant and give you access to a series of regional events next year on key business and drinks issues and a dedicated TopMerchants networking and information website. Plus a whole lot more to boot to be revealed in due course. If you would like to be involved then please turn to pages 28-29 for more details.

• Harpers Says...