Wine suppliers stand accused of discriminating against the independent retail sector. Ray Donelan, a former buyer with the Landmark buying group, said prices in small stores were now "wildly" out of line with those in the high street. "Retailer greed is not to blame for high prices, nor can the wholesaler be accused of making too much profit," he said. "There appears to be a substantial difference in the strategies adopted by brand owners and big shippers for multiples and wholesale." He said marketing investment was disproportionate: "How else could it be cheaper to buy well known wines in the multiples and specialists at prices well below cash and carry cost?" he asked. Donelan said wholesalers could only respond by offering cheap and cheerful lines ­ "hardly a long-term recipe for building reputations". But he urged shippers to work with independents to ensure the "wine opportunity" did not slip away into the hands of the multiples and specialists "like so much else that has gone before". {{NEWS }}

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