Punch Pub Company is helping its licensees cash in on the growth in on trade wine sales with the launch of a new support package.
Punch retailers, who already have access to up to 700 different wines through the company’s buying department, have been issued with a Wines of the World information pack which takes them through the various stages of creating their perfect wine list.
David Bremner, Punch Pub Company’s commercial manager, said: “With on trade sales up by 17 per cent year on year* wine is a sector our retailers cannot afford to overlook.
“This scheme helps those who want to develop a wine list from scratch or broaden their current offering. It also aims to educate retailers – and in turn their customers – about all aspects of the drinks category.
“The pack includes information on wine production, tasting notes and guides on what to serve with particular types of food. It even recommends which wines are most suited to the various styles of pubs, including locals, town centre and food led outlets.”
Punch has carefully picked 130 branded and unbranded wines to feature in the brochure giving retailers a more targeted selection of products to choose from.
There is also information on product pricing and an offer of 30 personalised wine menus for licensees who make a purchase.
David said: “We are confident that the wine prices we can offer retailers are extremely competitive. There is also the added attraction and convenience of sourcing more drinks products from a single source, the pubco.”
Wines of the World is one of several supplier based initiatives from Punch designed specifically to help lessees and tenants drive sales and build better businesses.
“More than 120 retailers have already signed up to this particular scheme and sales on featured products are up on average by 32 per cent, which is extremely encouraging,” added David.
Vera O’Hanlon, who leases Punch pub the Miltons Head, a food led outlet in Buxton, Derbyshire, said: “We source all but one of our wines through Punch Pub Company and have also taken up the offer of free menus, which we are delighted with.
“The scheme is very useful because at the moment we are selling more wine than ever before in the six years we have been at the pub.
“Diners in particular account for the growth, with many upsizing to larger glasses and drinking more wine than beer. It shows how trends have changed recently.”
Ends * source AC Neilson |