To help bring independent merchants together and offer them the advice and support they need to move their businesses forward in these challenging times Harpers Wine & Spirit, in association with headline sponsor, Italian producer, GIV, is introducing the Top Merchants initiative. Here's how you could get involved.
How will it work?
Over the coming weeks and months we are looking to build up a database of independent merchants right across the country who are at the very top of their game. The inspiring retail businesses with whom the leading wine and spirit companies want to work.
We will then through 2010 be hosting a series of regional events with key trade partners on set topics where merchant members will be able to come together, share ideas and discuss key topics affecting their businesses.
But the Top Merchants programme is not open to any drinks retail business. You must be able to demonstrate that you meet a set series of criteria and be prepared to be a full and active member in the programme.
How do you become a Top Merchant?
In two ways. Either through self nomination or being nominated by our Top Merchants panel. Over the next few weeks Harpers Wine & Spirit will be asking the views of key players, suppliers and agents working in the independent sector for who they regard to be at the very top of their game. Their nominees will then be asked if a) they would like to be considered and b) provide further details to be included.
Either way we invite any merchant who would like to be involved in the project to send in top line information, based on the criteria set out (see Criteria box).
But note membership to the scheme will be kept open throughout the programme to allow merchants to participate at any time.
What do you get in return?
If you become a Harpers Wine & Spirit/GIV Top Merchant you will:
be invited to attend a series of regional events based on key issues for independents where you will get the chance to meet other merchants and industry figures
be included in a dedicated, free Top Merchants website listing your details as well as have access to bespoke business and education advice for merchants
be sent bespoke Point of Sale and PR material including a window sticker to help you promote your involvement in the programme
be included in all future Top Merchants promotional, business and marketing activities that are introduced during 2010
To be considered for the Top Merchants programme you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:
be an independent merchant with 10 or fewer retail outlets
be a business that is primarily actively selling and promoting premium wines, beers and spirits
have a shop, or high street, retail presence (exclusively online businesses do not qualify)
have in place an educational programme for staff covering both wine and spirits education and the promotion of responsible retailing and responsible drinking measures
an educational drinks programe for customers that promotes both the value in quality products but addresses responsible drinking issues
a social responsibility programme and activity with the local community
demonstrate you have a wide range of premium products with an emphasis on diversity, innovation and quality
Please send either by email or post brief outlines of activity in these areas. Note we are not expecting you to send in a great deal of background information, but an indication that you are involved in these types of initiatives.
Please send to either
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or by post to Top Merchants Harpers Wine & Spirit, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, West Sussex, RH11 9RT
Our partners
Helping us all along the way is the Top Merchants headline sponsor, Italian producer GIV. It may not be a household name in the UK, but with 14 wineries in all the main wine growing areas of Italy it is the biggest overall wine producer in the country. Its UK operation is now headed up by Chris Carson who brings some 40 years of drinks experience to the table. We are also pleased to be working closely with our key trade associations, the WSTA and WSET and involving them at each stage of our planning process.
To help bring independent merchants together and offer them the advice and support they need to move their businesses forward in these challenging times Harpers Wine & Spirit, in association with headline sponsor, Italian producer, GIV, is introducing the Top Merchants initiative. Here's how you could get involved.
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