Pubs optimistic on wine
The trade's view of wine sales in the recession remains optimistic.
A group of industry experts, including Rupert Clevely, chief executive of Geronimo Inns, gathered for a seminar entitled "Winning against the credit crunch in the on trade" at the London International Wine Fair.
The trade's optimism followed stark data collected by research company Wine Intelligence, based on the three months to February 2009, which showed 33% of consumers surveyed are spending less on a relaxing drink at the end of the day in on-trade venues.
Clevely said when he started in the business 12 years ago, "wine sales accounted for only 20% of wet-led volume and today it accounts for about 42% of our total wet volume. That's about £2m of purchases from the trade. It's a huge part of our business".
He added that it was "amazing" how times have changed and how important wine lists now are in pubs.
He admitted that the euro exhange rate and "our excellent chancellor" meant that wines which used to retail at £11.50 were now priced at over £13.
Across Clevely's estate, each site has a varying wine turnover, and the wine list must be geared towards the audience.
Clevely said it was important to remember humour, individualtiy, excellence and passion when approaching wine lists.
"it is still important to have names that people know and recognise, and price points they are familiar with," he said.
Across the board, by both restaurateurs and pub operators, the panel said that mark-ups on wine had been reduced, as customers increasingly seek value, though Clevely added it was important to remember the margins are needed to pay overheads.
