The Big M Speaks!

  This was first posted on my old web site on Wednesday September 26th, 2001.   Low or non-alcoholic drinks   Sometimes in my role as a wine retailer I will be asked for non alcoholic beverages. On some occasions, I have had younger store members come to me saying that there is a customer asking them for lemonade or milk products! They ask "Surely, we don't sell non alcoholic products, here, do we?"   I will ask them to take me to the client and introduce the client to a range of non-alcoholic tonics and sparkling grape juices, either of sweet or dry finishes, or a tart citrus based non-sparkling beverage (lime and lemon). I also have at my fingertips a range of low alcoholic wines (6% to 8%). Some are blended with fresh fruit pulp with a slight spritz to the finish.   Verjus - non-alcoholic pinot noir from Dromana Estate   A new product has been brought to my attention. From a prestigious vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula, comes a vintage 200

    This was first posted on my old web site on Satruday September 15th, 2001.   Welcome once again to the Big M Wine Promoter's newsletter. I have spent over forty years working on the shop floor in three of Melbourne's largest retail liquor stores and during that time I have gathered a great knowledge of the Wines, Spirits, Beers and Liquors of the trade.   The purpose of this newsletter is to offer comment on those products I have sampled and turn that interest into retail sales. I have never been afraid to go against perceived market trends and I will promote products that mainstream retailers, for whatever reason, will not carry or promote.   I have a passion for offering my clients a number of uniquely Australian Spirits and Liquors - at least three of which have been judged worthy Export awards, to South-East Asia, Europe, United Kingdom, and to the United States of America.   Macadamia Nut! Do you like the flavour of Macadamia Nut? Are you awar

This was first posted on my old web site on Wednesday June 28, 2000. The Big M on securing a sale for product you do not stock. Anyone working in the business knows the feeling when a client requests some product not stocked by the store. You want to project the best image for the store and do your best to service the client. I treat such queries with honesty and a willingness to find the product requested. I say something like “No retailer can afford to carry all stock items offered to them by their suppliers. Allow me to make you this offer: leave me your details and I will come back to you with prices for it instead. I will find you a single bottle price, a case price and if available, the discount per case!" I always suggest that this offer is for a case or multiple buy: otherwise I would soon have a storeroom full of cases with just one bottle missing. Most times my client will be agreeable to this non-obligatory offer and the sale will be secured. On some occasions I will of