News

DB event to focus on profitability in the wine trade

15 August 2025 By Patrick Schmitt

At a time when trading conditions are challenging and costs are rising, the drinks business is hosting an event in London on Wednesday 8 October that will focus on profitability in the wine trade.

Production costs and taxation are on the rise, but trading wine profitably is possible – we look at how

It’s a tough time for anyone in the alcoholic drinks sector right now, with those in the wine business in particular faced with a set of problematic issues: be they increasing costs of production, rising taxation or falling consumption.

However, there are opportunities for growth, and possibilities for cost savings, which is why db has chosen to consider the topic of profitability in the trade – a key tenet for building a sustainable business.

The aim of the event is to consider the hard economic realities facing the wine trade right now, and how to handle them, and even find ways to benefit from them.

This will be done by beginning the day-long event with a series of case studies, with industry leaders presenting a set of business models trading successfully right now.

The conference topic will then move to ways to make savings and ensure – or enhance – profitability, even in a downturn.

With the event organised in partnership with Wine Owners, we will benefit from expert views on how to improve operational efficiencies via tailor-made wine industry software. As part of this, we will take a close look at the application of Artificial Intelligence to help with stock management and product ranging, building on last year’s db conference, which centred on the application of AI to drinks retailing and marketing.

Then we will consider ways to expand sales, focusing on the opportunities, and how they might be realised.

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The sessions will feature threats, and how to prepare for them, but also positive trends and how to capitalise on them.

And each session will be dealt with through series of panel discussions featuring experts in their fields, who will share their tips on doing business in a downturn, ensuring attendees will leave with plenty of ideas based on proven measures.

Notably, after a networking lunch, there will be a keynote speaker from outside the drinks trade to inspire those working within it.

That person is Anthony Thomson, the founder of Metro Bank, who believes “passionately that profit should be a by-product of giving customers a better product, service or experience.”

Finally, the event will finish with a chance to sip something fine as we close the conference with a moment to socialise over a selection of delicious drinks.

The event details can be seen below and click here if you would like to sign up or see the line-up of speakers.