2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Robin Copestick

Published: 22 December, 2014

Robin Copestick, managing director of Copestick Murray, reflects on the vagaries of the grocery retail sector in 2014 and greater international collaboration for 2015.

Robin Copestick Robin Copestick

Robin Copestick, managing director of Copestick Murray, reflects on the vagaries of the grocery retail sector in 2014 and greater international collaboration for 2015.

How have you found 2014?

Wow what a year. Who would have predicted the passage of events at Tesco and the merger of PLB and Bibendum?

A little easier to predict would have been the continued rise of Aldi and Lidl as well as a stronger performance for the independents.

2014 has been another record year for Copestick Murray and it is our first full year with Henkell owning 60% of the company. We are now reaping the benefits of being a direct supplier of Mionetto, Henkell, Cavas Hill and Alfred Gratien Champagne. Following a mutually satisfactory agreement with Myliko we will also take over all the UK distribution for the Torley winery in Hungary.

I heart is going from strength to strength not just in the UK but also globally. We are now in 20 countries and we are in discussions with a many new customers in countries where we are not currently present.

2014 has also seen a few changes of personnel at Copestick Murray and we now have an incredibly strong group. We have a new finance team, a new marketing team and two new people in the sales team. Allied to a new computer system we are well set for 2015 and beyond.

What do you think 2015 will bring for the trade?

Will 2015 produce as many seismic changes as 2014? I doubt it but who knows. There are always rumours about mergers and companies who may be in difficulty. But hopefully 2015 will be a stable year for the UK wine industry where we can all concentrate on producing quality wine that inspires our consumers.

At Copestick Murray we are excited to be working with new wineries in Australia, Argentina and France as well as implementing innovative brand campaigns for I heart, Lisa McGuigan and Mionetto. I am sure we will add to our sales team and have another record year.

On a personal level I am looking forward to Stoke City winning the FA Cup, England regaining the Ashes and celebrating Copestick Murray's 10th birthday on July 1.

Happy New Year to you all.

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