The Buyer | 10 reasons why buyers should attend IBWSS 2025 in London

1 New London location

IBWSS UK is being held this year in a new London location situated in the beating heart of one of the city’s most up and coming revived areas - Spitafields - home to some of the capital’s most creative businesses, all within a few minutes walk of Liverpool Street train station. IBWSS UK will now take place in the impressive Christ Church on Commercial Street in E1 with the large main exhibition floor supported by a room for talks, debate and meetings downstairs.

2 Low and no

IBWSS will reflect the big surge in demand and interest for low and no alcohol products with a number of producers and suppliers taking part who are looking to bring bulk solutions to the fast growing lower alcohol category. It will be a chance to taste a variety of products but also discuss some of the solutions now available. Spinning cone suppliers have long been strong supporters of IBWSS both in the UK and in the US and this year will see a number of providers at the show ready to discuss what reducing alcohol needs buyers and suppliers might have.

3 New packaging solutions

IBWSS is also a great showcase to see what new packaging solutions there are for both producers and buyers. Be it new packaging technologies for the mass movement of wine and spirits by sea, rail or road through to what retailers and suppliers are now looking to use for final shelf packaging be it in canned wines, PET, bag in box, keg or other new alternative formats that are increasingly offering packaging breakthroughs and helping producers, suppliers and retailers cut down on their carbon output with more sustainable packaging ideas.

It will also be an opportunity for buyers and suppliers to discuss with their packaging partners ways in which they can work together to mitigate the impact of the new EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) regulations that have introduced new costs and overheads for drinks companies down the supply chain.

4 Key talks and masterclasses

IBWSS also offers the opportunity to take part in two masterclasses that are taking part across the two days.

Jo Ahearne MW will present a masterclass on the art of economics of blending - creating wines that sell on November 20 between 12pm-1pm.

Sara Muirhead MW will be holding a tasting of showcasing wines that won a Trophy or a Gold at The London Wine Competition 2025. It takes place on November 20 at 3pm-4pm.

5 UK Trade Tasting

As well as attending IBWSS visitors will also have the chance to taste products that have been entered into a dedicated tasting event that that is open to producers across all drinks categories, including brand owners and contract manufacturers. They offer buyers, importers, distributors, retailers and on-trade operators the chance to taste products across all sectors, from private label, bulk, exclusive to branded. The IBWSS and UK Trade Tasting events will take place in the same venue over two days giving exhibitors and buyers alike the space and time to do business over two working days.

6 Contract bottlers.

IBWSS is the platform to meet contract bottlers that can work on bespoke projects - both big and small - for buyers and suppliers who are looking to scale up existing products or bring to the market new projects but don’t want to commit to long term bottling and supply chain contracts. Bottling and packaging companies are taking part in IBWSS with the capability of offering scalable and sustainable solutions.

7 Access to buyers

IBWSS prides itself on its networking ability and book of contacts that it has built up to include all the major retail, supermarket and on-trade buyers. This is a show where real business takes place. An opportunity for key buyers and producers to meet, talk, negotiate and, where possible, get down to trading of wines and spirts. IBWSS gives producers unprecedented access to the people that make the biggest buying decisions in the country. Buyers from Marks & Spencer, Matthew Clark, Majestic Wine, Amathus Drinks, Berkmann Wines, LWC Drinks, Bestway Wholesale, Enotria, Enartis and many more have already secured their passes for IBWSS UK 2025.

8 Own label and private label

IBWSS UK is ideal for major buyers looking to secure consistent levels of supply and make sure they have the volume of wines and spirits for their needs. Exhibitors will taking part in the show that specialise in working with major retailers and operators to help them blend and make their own label and exclusive brands for their stores and venues. With key suppliers on hand to discuss individual own label needs and what they can do to help come up with the solutions that buyers are looking for.

9 London Wine and Spirit Competition connection

The Beverage Trade Network which is behind IBWSS is also the founders of the London Wine and London Spirits Competitions that have now firmly established themselves as two of the most important global drinks shows. What makes LWC and LSC so special is that they judge products based on their quality, but also how much they cost, what value for money offer and what they look like on shelf. There were examples of some of the award winning wines and spirts at the show and the IBWSS organisers will be looking to invite key buyers, sommeliers, retailers and MWs who take part in the judging of the competitions to attend the show and share their insights and expertise.

10 Set up meetings

With limited time to do business there is an opportunity for visitors to set up meetings in advance with the key companies they want to meet. Buyers can look through the IBWSS website here to see which producers are taking part and then simply click on the Set up Meeting button in each of the producers’ entries and then arrange a time and place to meet during the two days of the show.

IBWSS: the details

IBWSS takes place on 20–21 November at Christ Church Spitalfields Venue, Commercial St, London E1 6LY. It is free for trade members to attend.