Spar sets sights on premium wine growth

Spar is planning to add to its range of premium wines and double distribution of the upper tier after seeing strong growth in the UK.

Spar has launched new ‘on trend’ wines

The retailer added around a dozen wines priced between £10-15 to the range last year, which have seen “impressive” rate of sales, licensed director Chris Lewis told db.

It is now mulling plans to add to the range, as well as potentially adding some of the premium wines introduced last year into the core range to beef up its mid-priced regional range.

“Some areas in the premium range are already starting to trickle down to the standard range, so things like the Albariño, which we launched as a premium wine is doing so well, I can see it coming into the mainstream range,” Lewis told db. “It is the same with the Grüner Veltliner.`’

However, the focus at the moment was to increase distribution of the premium tier.

“The [fine wine] are in 100 stores at the moment but there is definitely room for them to go into another 100 or so stores, and that is the focus for the next 12 months,” he said, adding that it would have a good knock-on effect for the stores. “It’s not just about the store and selling more premium wines, it is also about tapping into premium spirits and craft beers. We are thinking of pulling that in and driving it depending on the affluence of the store, for the more discerning customer.”

The retailer is rolling out four new wines for summer, comprising a Provence Rosé (RRP £8), a Pulglian Primitivo (RRP £7), a Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (RRP £8.50), and a Spanish Gran Reserva from Valdepeñas (RRP £9).

Primitivo, which is the third biggest selling wine varietal from Italy, is in 75% growth in the convenience sector, it said, while the Touraine Sauvignon – “a premium quality wine from a fantastic domain” builds on its existing Sauvignon Blanc range, offering customers the choice to trade up for special occasions,” according to Spar’s head of of license, Tina Hird.

Hird added that Spar was excited about the new launches, as they offered quality and affordability and were part of the retailer’s drive to keep its wine offering modern and relevant.