Independent retailers have called on the Scottish government to rethink plans around business rates relief, which a trade group has said would leave small retailers “vulnerable to closure”.   In the Scottish budget last month, finance secretary Shona Robison announced that 40% relief towards business rates bills would only be given to the hospitality sector in Scotland.  In a letter to Robinson,…

The founder of London wine merchant Theatre of Wine has said the Leytonstone store will shutter on March 29, amid tough trading conditions. Daniel Illsley said that after eight years of trading, directors have taken the decision not to renew the lease.   “Things are not looking rosy for the drinks trade,” Illsley said. “First the Tories impose the most onerous duty…

Drinkaware has announced a partnership with Morrisons, to roll out free drinking checks across the supermarket’s in-store pharmacies.  The alcohol-harm charity announced that it would offer free checks across all 117 in-store pharmacies, giving customers a chance to assess their drinking habits.   The drinking check is a three-minute online quiz that provides a drinking score.   The aim is to…

Drinks distributor Drinks 21 Group has purchased retailer and wholesaler The General Wine Company.The deal, for an undisclosed sum, includes two wine shops in Hampshire, an online shop and a trade business with around 500 on-trade customers.Drinks 21 co-founder and CEO Stephen Brogan told Drinks Retailing his core business distributes into duty free for big brands including the likes of Heineken and Penfolds.“We were…

Majestic has announced Christmas 2024 was its most successful yet.  The retailer said that the festive season was its “best-ever” as it saw a sales rise of 1.9% in the six weeks to December 30, during which time it served 70,000 new customers.   The retailer suggested this was thanks to the opening of seven new stores during 2024 and the growth of…

The latest analysis from NIQ has revealed that stout performed especially well in grocers in the four weeks leading up to December 28.   The report said that sales of stout rose +13% in these weeks, which NIQ suggested may be influenced by the challenges around Guinness supply in pubs.  The same data however found that sales for beers, wines and spirits…

Wine and Champagne merchants House of Townend has named Georgia Townend as senior wine buyer and associate director.   This makes her the fifth generation to join the family business, based in Yorkshire.   Townend joins following six years at Charles Taylor Wines in London, where she held the position of senior wine buyer.   Managing director John Townend said: “I…