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A West Midlands wine retailer is hoping to expand with franchised shops.

Ireland’s independent off-licence sector will go out of business in five years, warns the chairwoman of the National Off-Licence Association, unless the Irish government enforces legislation to curb aggressive price promotion and introduces structural segregation of alcohol.

It has emerged that the number of people who lost their jobs in last year’s collapse of Simon Baile’s Oddbins was almost twice that stated by administrator Deloitte at the time.

Bargain Booze joint managing director Matthew Hughes has left the business after owner ECI Partners called off its search for a buyer for the franchise chain.

Bargain Booze owner ECI Partners has called off its search for a buyer for the franchise chain.

Tesco is taking a stand at the London International Wine Fair and is calling on suppliers and producers to come to its wine team with ideas and projects – in what the supermarket is calling a “Dragons Den-style opportunity”.

Online retailer Slurp has launched a French site in what it is calling “an audacious bid to beat the French on their own patch”.

Lincolnshire Police and licensing officers from North Kesteven District Council have seized £6,000 worth of alcohol from an off-licence after it failed a test purchase sting.

Following the success of last year’s initiative, OLN is again working with Wines of South Africa to target leading independents. We are offering two readers the opportunity to win a trip to the Cape Wine fair, taking place in Cape Town from September 25-27. 

Off Licence News is inviting independent readers to register for a £50 bursary to visit the London International Wine Fair in May. 

Rhythm & Booze could become a nationwide franchise chain after it was bought by Costcutter owner Bibby Retail Services in a pre-pack administration.

Tesco has relaunched its wine case subscription service Tesco Wine Select with six more pre-mixed cases and new deals for subscribers.

Oddbins has seen a surge in sparkling wine sales thanks to the unseasonal sunshine.

Rhythm & Booze has been bought by Bibby Retail Services, the group that owns Costcutter supermarkets, after the chain went into administration this morning (March 29).

Wine Rack has announced it will hold its wine, spirit and Champagne prices until mid-April after the duty hike announced in last week’s Budget.

Majestic’s commercial director Mark Reynolds has died after a battle against cancer. He was 48.

Booker is offering independent retailers free Epos systems if they commit to spending more at their local cash and carry.

Tesco is making drastic cuts to its wine supply base in what it says is a bid to improve producers' profitability and encourage brand owners to increase consumer loyalty.

Majestic has contacted Portuguese suppliers demanding they make a contribution towards promoting the category or jeopardise future listings. 

A strong Christmas meant Oddbins performed better than expected in its first year of trading.

Plans for a new online Threshers wine business have still not come to fruition, almost two-and-a-half years after First Quench went into administration.

Sainsbury’s buyer David Peek is leaving to join Copestick Murray Wine Solutions as commercial director.

Tesco has grown its fine wine sales by 50% after overhauling its range, the supermarket has reported.

Sainsbury’s has launched its Great British Beer hunt with a new category designed to support microbrewers.

Online retailer Naked Wines has launched a competition looking for the world’s most talented unknown winemakers – with US$1 million up for grabs.

Wine Rack’s transactional website is now live and the chain says online sales are going well. The retailer has given the website – winerack.co.uk – a soft launch with offers of 10% off six or more bottles of wine and 5% off six or more bottles of Champagne, with no consumer advertising yet.

Majestic, Tanners and the Wine Society have been honoured at an awards ceremony for those in the UK who make an outstanding contribution to supporting Portuguese wine.

Laithwaites has bought a vineyard near the village of Castillon in Bordeaux, where founder Tony Laithwaite first began importing wine into the UK under the name Bordeaux Direct.

Majestic has been given an award for its innovative use of online media.

A Laithwaites ad has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading consumers.