Member Article

Online wine retailer scoops top award

Norwich-based wine retailer Naked Wines, is celebrating after being named the UK’s Online Business of the Year, at the National Businesses Awards 2011.

The company beat of stiff competition from the likes of LOVEFILM, Quidco and Entertainment Magpie Ltd.

Since launching in December 2008, the company has recruited over 200,000 customers and has seen over 100% growth year-on-year.

A judging panel comprising of 100 CEOs and senior directors from across the UK, said of the company: “Naked Wines has created an innovative approach to putting suppliers in direct contact with the customer.

“It’s used the internet to revolutionise a tried and tested model to being extra value to all stakeholders.

“Naked Wines is a great example of how the internet and e-commerce can revolutionise a market - as well as a business.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne, opened the awards ceremony, sponsored by Orange.

He began with by offering words of encouragement to the companies present, saying they embodied the spirit of enterprise that must feature at the heart of Britain’s economic future.

Rowan Gormley, founder of Naked Wines said: “When we launched, we knew we had to create a game-changing model to make our mark, and by bringing customers and winemakers together through the power of the web, we’ve created 85 delicious new wines which otherwise wouldn’t exist.

“We’ve stripped away a lot of the pretence and stuffiness typically associated with an age-old industry.”

He also commended his business partners who had left the security of their jobs amidst the recession to help launch Naked Wines.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .