Do you want to become a Wine Merchant? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
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A wine merchant usually works as the manager of a retail outlet that sells wine, such as an off-licence, or in their own independent shop. They may also work as a buyer for a wine importer or supermarket chain.
They are responsible for the selection and sale of wines, spirits and related products, usually in liaison with the company's head office. The work includes placing orders with suppliers, arranging product promotions and displays, and producing sales and marketing materials.
Buyers find new wines that are going to sell well. To do this they travel abroad to visit growers and wholesalers. They taste new vintages, negotiate prices, check production standards and maintain relationships with producers, as well as arranging for the wine to be transported and distributed.
As licensing laws have relaxed, wine retailers are increasingly open all day, and managers and sales staff work shifts to cover these times. They spend their time standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying, and the work can be physically demanding.
Salaries range from around £10,000, to £50,000 or more.
A wine merchant should:
In the UK, the wine market is worth approximately £6 billion a year and is continuing to grow, with a few large firms dominating the trade. Most opportunities are in retail outlets, and competition for the few buying vacancies is fierce.
No particular educational qualifications are needed for entry to the wine trade, but many of the senior jobs in the industry are taken by people with degrees. The industry places a great deal of emphasis on product knowledge and an interest in wine.
People can train on the job, or do one of a number of courses. Maturity, and experience in retailing, buying or marketing, are welcomed by many employers in the wine trade.
Opportunities for promotion are usually better in the larger companies, where there is a set route to senior management jobs.It is common to move from one field to another within the wine trade, and it is still quite normal for people to start at the bottom and work their way up.
To set up an independent wine outlet, they need considerable experience and contacts.
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