Voting opens for IWSC Independent Retailer

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has put forward 28 UK wine and spirit retailers for a public vote to decide which one will be named Independent Retailer of the Year 2013.

Drawn from across the UK and Northern Ireland, the full list of retailers, together with the voting form, is available online at www.iwsc.net/independent-retailer until 16 August. All votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a mixed case of wine.

Retailers have each been sent promotional packs to help encourage their customers to vote. Meanwhile both the IWSC and the award’s sponsor, PLB, will be drumming up further attention in a social media campaign via the Twitter tag #iwscbestindie.

Those retailers who receive the most votes will go onto a final shortlist, which will be judged by an expert panel. Judging criteria include the quality and diversity of a retailer’s range; the quality of service, including sharing knowledge and enthusiasm with consumers; and the quality of their display.

This year’s shortlist will also be assessed on their commitment to engaging customers through social media and other online channels.

The winner will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet at the Guildhall in London on 13 November.

Now in its fifth year, the IWSC Independent Retailer of the Year has been won previously by Hanging Ditch in Manchester, while last year saw it awarded jointly to Quaff Wines in Brighton and Duncan Murray Wines in Market Harborough.