Christmas is when most retailers make more money, so it’s a high stakes game that deserves some proper time to plan a marketing campaign.
Christmas is when most retailers make more money, so it’s a high stakes game that deserves some proper time to plan a marketing campaign.
A leading north west England wine merchant has shared on national radio its experiences of a rollercoaster ride doing business under lockdown. Marc Hough, owner of Cork of the North, which has branches in Sale and Heaton Moor near Manchester, told Radio 4’s You & Yours programme this lunchtime that he had welcomed government support to pay 80% of furloughed staff wages but said the…
The numbers are in and the headlines have been written, with some branding it the worst December on record for retail. Total FMCG sales were up 0.8% with shoppers doing more top-ups that meant they were spending less per supermarket trip. We know that alcohol increases in importance for FMCG in the festive four weeks, contributing around 15% of value, compared to…
Interesting grape varietals are driving growth in the wine channel as shoppers move on from Picpoul de Pinet to the likes of Godello and Pecorino, according to a leading supplier. Manchester-based agency Boutinot was out in full force at its annual London tasting recently and showed off a broad range of wines from across the world. Deborah Brook, who heads up its team servicing the…
Supermarkets need to mimic the success of independents and the on-trade in exciting consumers with diversified ranges if they are to return to growth, supplier Enotria and Coe has warned. Enotria bought Coe Vintners at the tail end of 2015 and they officially joined forces this month ahead of an inaugural tasting at London’s Old Truman Brewery on February 23, which will show off its…
North South Wines has boosted its range for cash and carries, a key market for the new agency. Commercial director Kim Wilson said the 45,000-strong corner shop market “remains relatively untapped”. She told OLN: “If you break down cash and carry and convenience they are like mini-supermarkets. People on their way home doing top-up shops want their normal weekly shop in a convenience outlet. We…
Few countries take beer more seriously than Belgium. As a nation, it is responsible for producing some of the most exciting and nuanced brews to reach the UK’s shores. To Belgians, access to beer is almost seen as a basic human right and it is inconceivable to think of the country’s leaders sanctioning a ban that limits what is available. Talk to consumers there and…
Leading suppliers are investing heavily to target independent retailers after identifying the channel as a key element in the drinks industry’s fortunes. The number of independent buyers at this month’s London Wine Fair was up 25% on last year and exhibitors were effusive in their praise for hardworking indies. Several distributors told OLN they have taken on extra staff, overhauled their infrastructure and revamped their…
