British Gin Buying Service Launches for Retailers
The Great British Exchange has launched a gin buying service to help retail and hospitality buyers meet customer expectations for volume, newness and variety. The service has been developed to support up and coming UK-based gin makers into the mainstream and to offer stores, bars and restaurants an opportunity to differentiate by stocking local artisan brands and gin related gifts.
Matthew Hopkins, managing director of the Great British Exchange, says the procurement initiative would focus on delivering originality to stockists. “The gin trend shows no sign of abating and as we approach the key buying season for Christmas 2018, retailers will be looking for a point of difference to maximise sales. Suppliers are locked in a race to deliver newness to retailers and I believe that the level of innovation we are currently seeing amongst gin producers, with the development of rare gins, beautiful bottles, artisan tonics and gift sets, will perpetuate the trend and boost sales by between 15 and 25% compared to last year,” he comments.
According to figures from YouGov, 47 million bottles of gin were bought by the UK consumer in 2017, up from 40 million the previous year.
Matthew Hopkins expects to see current growth in the gin sector boosted by a rise in gin gifting over the festive period in 2018 with products likely to include gin baubles, crackers, advent calenders and botanical gift sets. “Without a doubt, this is a fantastic opportunity for British producers to win sales from overseas manufacturers during the peak consumer spending season and they are going all out to maximise the potential for growth,” he says.
Since launching in 2014, The Great British Exchange has become a single source for newness, variety and exclusivity where retailers can easily buy the best upcoming British made products. The gin brands it represents include Slingsby, Mason’s Yorkshire Gin, Unicorn Tears, Trevethan, The Lakes Distillery, Black Shuck and Forest Gin.
“The number of gin producers we work with has soared over the last 6 to 12 months as we have worked hard to establish relationships with some of the brightest and best British artisan talent,” he adds. “Over the coming months we will be taking some of those gins on tour and hosting tasting events for buyers to offer them a chance to experience the hottest products and most exciting gift ideas.”
