Retail chain Wine Rack has announced a three-year sponsorship deal with hit Channel 5 programme The Wine Show. The retailer joined the Conviviality empire in July 2013 and the estate has since increased to 29 stores across the UK under Diana Hunter’s leadership. Joe Fattorini, the star of The Wine Show, was working in communications at supplier Bibendum when Conviviality snapped it up in 2016.

Conviviality has announced it is reshaping its leadership team in order to “bring decision making closer to the customer”. The revised organisational structure comprises a number of new elements, across various areas of the business. For Group Buying and Insights, the company says it is bringing all of its drinks buying teams under the leadership of Steve Jebson, who joined the business in November 2015.

Ridgeview Wine Estate has become the first big name in the wine world to switch its distribution over to Bibendum following the distributor’s acquisition by wine supply giant Conviviality earlier this year. As of 1st September Ridgeview English wines will be available to independent retailers through Bibendum’s Walker & Wodehouse arm, while branded products will be distributed to multiple retail via PLB and to the…

Bibendum and its associated wine sales companies PLB and Walker & Wodehouse, has become the largest importer to date to join the Bottlebooks community. The three companies will be able to collect accurate wine data from suppliers and share this throughout the businesses, as a result of linking up with the Bottlebooks online software platform. Andrew Shaw, buying director for Bibendum, PLB and Walker &…

Bargain Booze, Thorougoods and Wine Rack franchisees should see margins boosted as they benefit from greater buying power after parent company Conviviality snapped up Bibendum PLB for £60 million, according to its chief executive. Since joining the firm three years ago, Diana Hunter has floated the business on the stock market, snapped up a host of rival chains – including Wine Rack, Rhythm & Booze…

Conviviality Retail, the owner of Bargain Booze, has announced it plans to acquire wine wholesaler Bibendum in a deal worth £60m. Conviviality, which is the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler and distributor, first ventured into supplying the on-trade last year when it purchased drinks wholesaler Matthew Clark for £200m. The company also runs 624 off-licence and convenience stores including the Wine Rack brand, as well…

Bibendum PLB Group has been appointed by Cellier des Princes to distribute the Rhone Valley-based producer’s wines across all channels in the UK. From 1 May Cellier des Princes wines will be sold to the off trade via PLB, independent retailers via Walker & Wodehouse and the on-trade via Bibendum. The company, which was established in 1925, is the only cooperative in the Chateauneuf du…