The Independent Wine Buyers Consortium has been helping smaller merchants compete with the larger distributors since 1968. 

Buying power is a strong economic force in the UK wine industry. It's invariably linked with the prospect or promise to the producer of a greater volume of sales in return for better prices and/or exclusivity of distribution as the carrot for the trader in the destination market.

The price/volume equation is one that the resurgent category of independent wine merchants can rarely key into. But the Independent Wine Buyers Consortium (IWBC) has been playing to this strength since 1968, when a group of merchants first got together to pool some of their buying. The consortium was formed as a way of retaining a competitive edge against supermarkets and national retailers when dealing with major spirits brands.

Today, the IWBC comprises 10 independent companies which pool the responsibilities of buying certain wines, with individual brand sponsors among their members. The consortium's combined trade distribution covers much of England, Scotland and Wales, but there is no significant geographical overlap in the commercial reach of any member company. Thus members are not competitors and, in addition to buying power, they can benefit from each other's commercial experiences without fear of rivalry. Members are primarily wholesale businesses, covering a wide range of clients, from country-house hotels to wine bars, alongside private and corporate customer bases.