THE WINE MERCHANT. An independent magazine for independent retailers
Issue 139, September 2024
Dog of the month: Ted The Stores, Frome
WSTA slashes membership fees in bid to recruit indies Trade body says it needs more small merchants to help it campaign effectively and will now charge them £250 a year
T
he Wine & Spirit Trade Association has more than halved its
membership fees for independents
in a bid to drastically increase the number of smaller merchants that it represents. The trade body has long been caught
in a Catch-22 situation, arguing that it
can only provide an effective service for
indies if they join its ranks, but with indies maintaining that the current fees are
unrealistically high. Only a handful have so
businesses”. It adds: “The proposition is
£2.5m, the WSTA will soon be launching
and guidance that is relevant and
far taken the plunge.
For businesses with a turnover below
independent membership at a cost of £250 per year. Previously, the rate has been between £500 and £1,000 per year.
The WSTA describes the new tier of
membership as an “affordable, accessible
and practical proposition for independent
Street artist Lula Goce created the striking frontage of the Damn Yankee wine shop in London. Story on page 8
specifically designed for smaller merchants and wholesalers looking for information actionable.
“The new membership will see the
launch of an online Indie Hub that will contain videos and podcasts.”
Subject matter will include issues such
as Extended Producer Registration