Discussion
As a new venture I am looking at Importing/selling wine.
I am familiar with most aspects of Importing, marketing etc, although not with regard to Wine.
I have the relevant info on Excise duty, VAT etc. but am now looking at the viability of such a venture.
Does anyone have any experience, useful tips etc that they would care to share?
(wheres the :wine: smiley?)
I am familiar with most aspects of Importing, marketing etc, although not with regard to Wine.
I have the relevant info on Excise duty, VAT etc. but am now looking at the viability of such a venture.
Does anyone have any experience, useful tips etc that they would care to share?
(wheres the :wine: smiley?)Woah there!
Are you a Wine Enthusiast? Do you know lots of Vineyards/Suppliers in the major Wine Regions of the world you can source your wine from. Are you prepared to go travelling to gain these contacts?
The supermarkets have buyers whose sole job is to travel the world sourcing wine they can sell at prices the public wants to afford. Independent people tend to source higher value wines that mostly sell to enthusiasts as this is a niche the supermarkets can't be bothered to cater to...
I know a goodly number of small independent merchants who import themselves - most are MWs (Masters of Wine) - are you? Or do you want to become one?
There are a LOT of hurdles in doing this.
But good for you if you want to go for it. I reckon it will be tough. But there again...you could do well with enthusiasm and get to enjoy working in a trade some of us only dream of.
Good Luck.
Are you a Wine Enthusiast? Do you know lots of Vineyards/Suppliers in the major Wine Regions of the world you can source your wine from. Are you prepared to go travelling to gain these contacts?
The supermarkets have buyers whose sole job is to travel the world sourcing wine they can sell at prices the public wants to afford. Independent people tend to source higher value wines that mostly sell to enthusiasts as this is a niche the supermarkets can't be bothered to cater to...
I know a goodly number of small independent merchants who import themselves - most are MWs (Masters of Wine) - are you? Or do you want to become one?
There are a LOT of hurdles in doing this.
But good for you if you want to go for it. I reckon it will be tough. But there again...you could do well with enthusiasm and get to enjoy working in a trade some of us only dream of.
Good Luck.
Well it is a completely new idea to me, a big change of direction. I am looking at wholesale, rather than having an off licence or Bar but would consider maybe progressing to some Internet/mail order.
I have no 'qualifications' to do this but do enjoy good wine etc.
I do have some contacts in Italy which would help and I am prepared to travel to wherever.
I certainly wouldn't be looking for the Supermarkets £1.99/bottle market but would be looking for the more quality/enthusiasts market.
I imagine that there are a lot of hurdles - the financing appears to be the major one i.e. paying for wine, shipping, duty (biggest hurdle is always the Gov't
) etc. upfront and I'm concerned about the potential profitability, given the high cost of actually getting the product here ready to sell.
But, it is something I am interested in, just not sure if it is the right thing to do.
[delboymode}He who dares wins?[/delboymode]
I have no 'qualifications' to do this but do enjoy good wine etc.
I do have some contacts in Italy which would help and I am prepared to travel to wherever.
I certainly wouldn't be looking for the Supermarkets £1.99/bottle market but would be looking for the more quality/enthusiasts market.
I imagine that there are a lot of hurdles - the financing appears to be the major one i.e. paying for wine, shipping, duty (biggest hurdle is always the Gov't
) etc. upfront and I'm concerned about the potential profitability, given the high cost of actually getting the product here ready to sell. But, it is something I am interested in, just not sure if it is the right thing to do.
[delboymode}He who dares wins?[/delboymode]
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