Ahead of our Think Indies, Drink Indies symposium on 12 July we are inviting all UK independent merchants to take a few minutes to fill in the below survey and have your say for a report on the evolution of the sector in this coming issue of Harpers.

Deadline for responses is Thursday 23 June, with a randomly chosen 5 outlets each receiving a bottle of premium, boutique gin from our gin cellar as a thanks for taking part.

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* 1. Name of business and respondent?

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* 2. What is your average customer spend…?

  Price
In store, retail price
Online, retail price RRP (where applicable)
Wholesale, trade price (where applicable)

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* 3. How would you describe the current trading environment with regard to your business when compared with the last few years?

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* 4. Are you seeing a trend towards ‘premiumisation’, higher spend but possibly lower volumes?

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* 5. Where do you see the biggest opportunities to grow your business?

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* 6. What are the biggest challenges to the successful running of your business?

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* 7. As it rises towards a higher level of £9 or more, will the National Living Wage affect your business?

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* 8. How important is social media to your business?

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* 9. Are you sourcing and selling more wines from emerging, less known and new regions?

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* 10. Are you sourcing more wines direct?

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* 11. Are you a member of a buying group?

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* 12. Have you plugged into the boom in craft beers and spirits and do you think this trend will continue?

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* 13. In your opinion what will keep the independent sector strong and buoyant?

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