‘This year feels like it will be tougher than last year for trade’

From page 1 been derailed by Covid.

The survey, which is organised in partnership with Hatch Mansfield, reveals that Italian wines are now leading the way for indies both in terms of the interest they generate and the sales they achieve.

Jefferson Boss of StarmoreBoss in Sheffield says: “This year feels like it will be tougher than last year for trading, the main factor being the price rises across all sectors of the business, but mostly the increase in prices of the bottles on the shelves versus the stagnation in wages.

“We’ll have to look at the range closely and adapt our offering according to the market and look to find more inventive ways of supporting our revenue streams and adding value to increase sales.”

Nathaniel Carpentier of Dalling & Co in Kings Langley believes indies can create business even in a cost-of-living crisis.

“We are optimistic that retail can bridge the gap where on-trade sales fall,” he says. “Going out will likely be one of the first budget cuts families make, opting for a more budget-friendly staying-in. A wine that is a treat at a retail price point is substantially less expensive than a completely average wine at any restaurant. Educating customers that they can get more for less at home will be a key campaign this year.”

But many indies have also been sounding a note of caution. “At the moment we are really not sure what impact the current economic climate is going to have on our business in 2023,” admits Paul Tate-Smith of Derventio Wines in North Yorkshire. “We know we are going to have to work hard to deliver value and quality to our customers.”

Stefan Botfield of The Wine Cellar in Woburn adds: “We plan to grow as a business this year so therefore should see increased sales, but I’m not sure, over and above inflation, that we would necessarily expect our sales to increase per store.”

• Survey analysis begins on page 23 and continues in our April edition.