European Food Brokers is reportedly seeking to take Oddbins back from the hands of the administrators it appointed four months ago. In February, EFB brought in insolvency firm Duff & Phelps to handle administration proceedings for its retail division following poor Christmas trading, a drop in sterling’s value and a rise in rent costs. Its retail division included Oddbins, Wine Cellar Trading and Whittalls Wines…

Staff at embattled retailer Oddbins have been tweeting excitedly after receiving deliveries of wine over the past week. The chain was plunged into administration earlier this year, along with sister companies Whittalls Wines Merchants and Wine Cellar Trading. European Food Brokers, which owns all three retailers, said Brexit and the resulting economic uncertainty, along with poor high street sales over the Christmas period, were to…

Even as the ice caps melt, the world is becoming an increasingly polarised place. Nuance and rationale get bested by bombast and dogma; every disagreement seems irreconcilable. The middle ground has become No Man’s Land. Such polarisation was all too evident in recent discussions about Oddbins going into administration. While the response was almost universally sympathetic within the wine trade, the debate on social…

The Oddbins off-licence chain has officially gone into administration, putting around 500 jobs at risk. The chain’s owner, European Food Brokers (EFB), said Brexit and the resulting economic uncertainty, along with poor high street sales over the Christmas period, were to blame for the situation. EFB’s other brands – Whittalls Wines Merchants and Wine Cellar Trading – are also affected. Duff & Phelps is the…

The trade has reacted with sadness and concern to the news that Oddbins has lined up administrators following an “extremely tough” Christmas trading period. Around 500 jobs are at risk after European Food Brokers, which owns Wine Cellar and Whittals Wine Merchants along with Oddbins, filed a notice of intention to appoint Duff & Phelps to handle insolvency. It follows hot on the heels of…

Oddbins has appointed an advisory firm to look at options for the future, following a difficult Christmas trading period. European Food Brokers Group, which owns the off-licence chain, has warned staff of job losses in the future. The company also owns Wine Cellar Trading and Whittalls Wine Merchants, and the group employs more than 500 members of staff at more than 100 off-licences. Advisory firm…

Oddbins is putting its faith in New World wines in the run-up to Christmas as it bids to offer its customers good value for money. The retailer has bolstered its offering from Australia and the US, while it has also filled its shelves with a number of new wines from Romania, Georgia, Macedonia, Uruguay, Slovenia and Switzerland. Head buyer Ana Sapungiu MW…