The UK has long been seen in the global wine industry as the most influential and important market for international bulk wine and spirits. Bulk wine imports now account for approaching half of all UK wine imports – 42% (Ciatti) and in an overall market that has seen flat or declining sales its bulk wine sales were up almost 12% in value and 7% in volume in 2024, according to Ciatti, the bulk wine data analysts.
It’s why the return of IBWSS is long over due and will finally see some of the most influential big guns in the bulk wine and spirits sector descend on London for what will be the fourth IBWSS UK show.
A chance for UK wine and spirits buyers to meet existing and potentially new bulk wine and spirits suppliers, find contract bottlers and put in place new private label and sourcing solutions.
The Buyer's Richard Siddle hosting a panel debate at one of the earlier IBWSS London events
For the bulk wine and spirits producers it gives them access to the UK’s leading importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and brand builders.
“We are delighted to be back in the UK and the chance to bring the most important bulk producers and brokers together to do business with their target buyers and businesses in this vital market for bulk wine and spirits,” says Sid Patel, founder of IBWSS and chief executive of Beverage Trade Network, the drinks networking and publishing business behind the event.
IBWSS has long made its name in the US where it has taken place every year since 2017. As Wine Business says: “What makes IBWSS distinctive is that it is part business conference and part exhibition.”
Over 70 exhibitors are scheduled to be at this year’s UK event, showcasing their wines and spirits and including big names such as Majestic Wine, Enotria & Coe, Berkmann Wine Cellars, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, The Ritz Carlton and Matthew Clark.
Key platform
The London show will be held against a backdrop of a polarised UK market, where overall sales are stagnating, and businesses across the on and off-trade are faced with mounting costs, reduced margins and hits to volumes and profits on the back of the new ABV-driven duty system and roll out of the new EPR packaging regulations.
IBWSS UK will take place at Christ Church in Spitafields London between November 20-21
By contrast the bulk wine and spirits sector is still performing strongly as more major producers look to bottle in market and help their major retail and distribution partners take advantage of lower shipping and supply chain costs.
The average price per litre for bulk wine imports into the UK increased by around 7% to £1.12 in 2024, according to Ciatti, backing up a trend towards higher value bulk products.
As every major drinks business in the UK now has fixed net zero targets it makes strategic sense to develop more bulk wine and spirits solutions.
"IBWSS provides the ideal platform to bring key suppliers and buyers together to do business and find new ways to work together,” adds Patel.
It has also become a key trading place for private label operators to demonstrate what they can do for buyers, retailers, importers and on-trade operators looking to create and develop their own bespoke private label wine and spirits ranges.
Specialist talks
Visitors will also be catch up on the latest trends and hear directly from leading trade experts and Masters of Wine thanks to a series of talks and masterclasses taking place during the two day event.
IBWSS's Sid Patel will give a keynote talk at the London event on how to apply AI in your business
If AI is on your radar, but unsure of how to best harness its power for your business, then Sid Patel will be sharing his insights in a keynote speech on how he believes AI can potentially revolutionise the way the drinks trade operates. In his role at BTN Patel has seen the industry evolve from both the supplier and buyers’ point of view and will share his views on his talk - How Beverage Brands can build an AI-Powered Sales Process to Win Distribution in 2926 taking place on November 21 betwen 2pm-3pm.
He will be providing an in-depth guide to building your own AI powered sales network, which he says will double sales efficiency without sacrificing human relationships; discuss how to combine hospitality, hustle and technology, and ultimately enable you to build your own AI-enabled sales engine within only six months. This will all be backed up by real life case studies from leading beverage brands.
“This is a practical step-by-step system for modern beverage selling,” says Patel. “It’s a real commercial playbook being deployed inside BTN today.”
The keynote speech also marks the soft launch of BTN’s latest AI venture, CPGBuyerAI, which Patel claims is set to become the global leader in beverage buyer intelligence and AI powered sales execution.
It promises to help brands to scale outreach on a global scale, identify the right buyers more quickly, streamline follow ups, enhance CRM systems and support sales reps and export teams.
IBWSS visitors will also be amongst the first to access the system.
For those can’t attend IBWSS Patel will be hosting an AI live webinar on December 2 between 10am–11am. Find out more and sign up to take part here.
Masterclasses
IBWSS will also feature three key masterclasses.
Jo Ahearne MW will present “The art & economics of blending – creating wines that sell” on November 20 12pm-1pm in The Crypt.
Ahearne will discuss how different blending decisions influence not only wine styles, but also market success, margins and positioning.She will examine how to use bulk components to optimise the balance between cost and quality, and how to design blends for particular sales channels including private label, retail and the on-trade. She hopes to give practical insights into how best to go about creating wine programmes that are successful on-shelf, in the on-trade and in export markets.
James Cowan, director of international sales at US’s Distilling Solutions MGP will present “Unlocking the Secrets of Whisky Blending on November 21 12 – 1pm in The Crypt.
Cowan will take visitors through the technical and commercial world of modern whiskey blending, which is increasingly being driven by craft innovation, premiumisation and global consumer demand. Find out about the basics of blending, how buyers evaluate blends, examine how to balance flavour versus commercial value, look at global trends and finish with a palate development session to find out what really makes a blended whiskey stand out in today’s competitive marketplace.
Sara Muirhead MW will be holding a tasting of a selection of trophy winning wines from the London Wine Competition 2025 on November 20 between 3-4pm in The Crypt.
Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a curated array of award winning wines, and analyse the styles, quality markets and trends driving consumer demand in the UK.
UK Trade Tasting
Another reason to attend IBWSS UK is the chance to take part in the first UK Trade Tasting which is taking place at the same time in the same venue over the two days of the show. Open to producers in all drinks categories, this will include contract manufacturers and brand owners and will provide visitors the chance to see drinks across all sectors, from bulk to private label, exclusive to branded.
US testimonials
IBWSS US has taken place in San Francisco every year since 2017
The benefits of attending IBWSS are set out by exhibitors and visitors to its recent US shows.
Pedro Blanco, the global expansion leader of Columbian sugar producer Providencia Bulk Rum, says: “It was an inspiring experience filled with valuable meetings, from clients and brand creators to partners and buyers. The energy was high, the attendance strong and the conversations meaningful. Events like this remind us how dynamic and collaborative the world of bulk spirits can be.”
Kishnan Patel, founder of southern-California-based Daksa Logistics, says: “It was a great chance to connect with people across the supply chain, from producers to distributors to logistics partners and see how the industry is evolving. Events like IBWSS really remind me how important it is to keep learning and adapting as the industry evolves.”
Dania L Pedroza, commercial executive at Atlanta-based Kronoz US adds: “What an amazing experience to learn from amazing people, share experiences, wine glasses, laughter creativity and hard work at the IBWSS. Great speakers, great exhibitors and lots of knowledge on every table.”
UK IBWSS 2025
When: November 20-21, 2025 (11am – 5pm).
Where: Christ Church Spitalfields Venue, Commercial Street, London, E1 6LY.
How to register: Click here.
Directions:
Bus: Numerous bus routes serve the Spitalfields area, with stops near Liverpool Street and Aldgate East stations.
Underground (Tube): The nearest stations are Liverpool Street Station or Aldgate East Station. It is a short walk from popular landmarks like Brick Lane and the Tower of London.
Tube Line: Liverpool Street Station (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines) , or Aldgate East Station (District, Hammersmith & City lines)
Overground: Shoreditch High Street Station: (London Overground) is a short walk away. Liverpool Street Station: also serves National Rail services.
