Over 100 buyers head to Windsor to take part in first Wine Buyers' Forum

By Richard Siddle

Published: 10 March, 2014

Over 100 buyers from across all channels of the trade are heading to Windsor today to take part in the first Wine Buyers Forum where they will get the chance to have in-depth discussions with over 30 suppliers and take part in a series of targeted business workshops.

The events is the first of its kind to be held in the UK wine trade and follows a business format that has become common in other industries, particularly finance and insurance.

Buyers have been able to arrange a series of half hour meetings with interested suppliers where they can either meet new potential customers or build relationships with existing producers, agents and distributors.

The event has attracted a number of high profile figures from all areas of the industry including sommeliers from Michelin-starred restaurants, buyers from leading restaurant and bar groups, independent wine merchants, multiple specialist groups as well as a strong list of distributors, importers and producers.

They will also be able to take part in a number of business workshops that look to address the key issues facing buyers today and the different skills needed to be a competitive buyer.These include:

Trends and data

Off-trade and world wine trends - an overview of the key trends and best selling regions and price in the UK off-trade with Tim Wilson, Wilson Drinks Report.

On-trade trends - here Mark Newton of CGA Strategy will look at the key sales trends across different channels of the on-trade, which countries are performing well, what formats are on the increase and what buyers should be looking to source in the coming months.

Digital and online retialing. The chance to look in to the key issues and which online players are leading the way with Tim Wilson, Wilson Drinks Report.

Buying

What makes a fantastic wine buyer? How to fine tune your skills to become a buying ninja with Angela Mount, managing director, Angela Mount Ltd and former head buyer for Somerfield.

Thinking about going direct? What are the best ways of doing that, what are the potential pitfalls and how are buying groups working to maximise efficiencies. Hear from operators in different channels who can give their personal views. Panel debate.

How do you make that relationship with your supplier really work in your favour - Justin Howard Sneyd, former Waitrose head of wine, Direct Wines consultant and now a winemaker in his own right will share his experiences along with Jerry Lockspeiser, chairman of Off Piste Wines.

Bulk wine: how to make the most of the growing bulk wine market and what are the things you need to take in to account as a buyer from leading bulk wine broker Daniel Murphy, founder of Murphy Wine Company.

Selling/Marketing

Training your staff to make the most of your wine selection (March 11 only) with Raul Diaz, sommelier and training manager and at Jascots Wine Merchants.

You have the right wines - how do you go out and sell yourself? How using social media, and innovative sales and marketing methods, can bring your wine offering to life. Panel debate.

It is not just about buying and selling wine. How retailers are opening cafes and bars, and offering a diverse range of products to keep customers coming back time and time again. Panel debate.

The two-day events starts at midday today and runs until 2pm tomorrow at Windsor's Beaumont Estate.

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