CO Down drinks company JN Wine has reported a substantial increase in sales from Northern Ireland into Britain since the introduction of the Brexit protocol.
James Nicholson’s wine company bought London-based Highbury Vintners in a strategic acquisition during September 2019.
While he credited the Covid-19 lockdown as the key factor in a 300 per cent increase in online sales across the group, the wine merchant said the company’s bases in Northern Ireland, the Republic and Britain played a part in its recent success.
“Sales in Highbury Vintners have grown by 55 per cent in the past year, and we are continuing to invest to drive this growth further,” said Mr Nicholson.
“We have also experienced a substantial increase in sales from Northern Ireland to the UK market since the introduction of the NI protocol.
“There have certainly been challenges across European markets but there have also been opportunities, particularly given our unique position and that we have bases now in a range of markets. We can deliver easily and efficiently, no matter where people are based.”
The company is also celebrating a number of wins at the recent International Wine Challenge (IWC) UK Merchant Awards.
Highbury Vintners lifted the IWC Regional Merchant of the Year for London and the IWC Small Independent Merchant of the Year award, while JN Wine was recognised as the IWC Regional Merchant of the Year for Northern Ireland.
