THE WINE MERCHANT. An independent magazine for independent retailers
Issue 145, April 2025
Dog of the month: Shelby Hometipple, Walthamstow
Direct imports continue to rise despite Brexit hassles Survey shows that almost half of independent wine merchants do at least some buying direct from producers
A
bout 18 of every 100 wines on
sale in the independent trade have been shipped directly from the
producer, according to new data.
The Wine Merchant’s 2025 survey of
independents found that 48% of indies
ship at least some of their own wines, up slightly from 47% in 2024.
A third of respondents say they will
wines, citing post-Brexit paperwork and
enthusiastic about direct imports say they
“The government is making it hard enough
directly import more of their wines in the coming year. Merchants who are
achieve the sort of margins and exclusivity that they can’t get with wholesaler wines.
But many say they are less inclined than
ever to get involved in shipping their own
Communiqué Wines is the latest business to join Edinburgh's bustling independent wine retailing scene. Read more about how its first year is shaping up on page 9.
rising transport costs.
David Perry of Shaftesbury Wines says:
for suppliers. I’m happy to let them do the hard work.”
• Part two of our survey
analysis starts on page 13.