Laithwaites Wine
Laithwaites is a British mail-order and online wine distributor and wine retailer based in Theale, England. It is a part of Direct Wines Ltd.[1][2]
History
[edit]Laithwaites was founded as Bordeaux Direct in 1969 by Tony Laithwaite.[3] He drove a van full of wine from Bordeaux to the UK and sold it under a railway arch in Windsor, which functioned as the initial warehouse and distribution centre.[3] In 1970 he hired Barbara Anne Hynds as seasonal help; the two eventually married.[3][4]
A 1973 partnership with the Sunday Times Wine Club, which Wine anorak called their "big break," expanded the customer base through mail-order wine distribution.[3][2]
In the 1980s, Laithwaites broadened its wine sourcing to include other European countries and regions like Australia and the United States. This expansion later included the acquisition of Lionstone International in the United States.[2]
In 2000 the company rebranded as Laithwaites Wine.[4]
Barbara Laithwaite established the Wyfold Vineyard in 2003 in South Oxfordshire and released its first commercial vintage in 2006.[4]
In 2008 the company posted a loss of £5.5 million, which Wine anorak attributed to logistics and quality issues.[2]
In 2011, Laithwaites partnered with the Royal Estate to plant a vineyard at Windsor Great Park.[5]
As of 2023 the business was still owned by Tony and Barbara Laithwaite.[3][4]
According to Financial Times, as of 2024 the company's subscription club had "more than 100,000" customers.[6]
Business model
[edit]According to Wine anorak, the company's business model involves sourcing inexpensive wines, packaging them under a private label, and marketing them directly to the consumer as deeply-discounted expensive wines.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Direct Wines predicts its way to growth". Retail Technology. 3 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Laithwaites: A welcome change of direction for this important UK retailer?". Wine anorak.
- ^ a b c d e Robinson, Jancis (15 December 2016). "Britain's biggest wine company". JancisRobinson.com.
- ^ a b c d Neish, Sarah (21 June 2023). "Barbara Laithwaite awarded CBE for her services to wine". The Drinks Business.
- ^ Lechemere, Adam (6 May 2011). "Royal vineyards planted in Windsor". Decanter.
- ^ James, Martyn (28 September 2024). "Are wine clubs worth it?". Financial Times. Retrieved 14 January 2025.