Harpers launches March for Independents conference and campaign to support merchants

By Richard Siddle

Published: 19 December, 2014

In a bid to put the spotlight firmly on the independent merchant sector Harpers is to launch a campaign in the new year designed to highlight the issues facing retailers which will build up to a major independent merchant conference in London on March 3.

The March for Independents initiative will also involve a series of Action Weeks throughout February 2015, where merchants will be able to get behind different mini-campaigns each week focusing on key areas to help them and their businesses.

The day conference on March 3 will then take many of those themes and give independents the chance to look in depth and share experiences in how to tackle the key business issues facing their sector. The conference will also provide a unique opportunity for merchants from across the country to meet, network and share their experiences with each other.

March for the Indies

The conference will look to help independents:

Get a better understanding of the key consumer trends relevant to their sector

Hear top industry and retail speakers offering best business practice advice

Get on top of the latest retail and small business regulations

Take part in open debates with fellow independents and major wine suppliers

Network with fellow merchants and suppliers who want to support independents

Taste new wines specially selected for the independent sector from our supporting wine suppliers

The day will include open debates where merchants will be able to discuss between themselves their key business issues.

It will also feature dedicated seminars on key topics covering online, social media, marketing, the most effective ways of importing wine and working with bonded warehouses.

The conference will also examine the key business regulations facing independents and how they can get on top of issues such as waste management, recycling, duty deferement, employment law and small business issues.

The day will be hosted by leading independents from across the country with merchants already lined up to speak including Ruth Yates of Corks Out, Hal Wilson, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Philip Amps, Amps Wine, Stephen Forward, Essentially Wine and Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company. Expert business advice will be provided by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association amongst others.

Over the coming weeks Harpers will also be linking up with major wine and spirits suppliers to the independent sector who will be able to offer advice and practical steps at the conference on how they can help merchants.

Taking Action

The separate Action Weeks in February will target in on specific areas of business where independents will be able to use a dedicated area of Harpers.co.uk to download supporting information, advice sheets, forms and related material for each of the Action Week themes.

Full details of the Action Weeks will be revealed in the new year, but will look at how merchants can get closer to their local MP and media, work more effectively with their suppliers, get on top of the latest business regulations and put in place steps to help maximise sales and profits.

For more information on the March for Independents conference go to the dedicated website here.

Places are limited so if you would like to attend or register your interest to attend then please register here.

If you would like to be involved in the conference and share your experiences or would like more information then contact Richard Siddle on richard.siddle@wrbm.com.