TradeMe clicks into wine market

TradeMe clicks into wine market Tracking devices for Aussie cars? TradeMe has started selling wine.

The popular shopping website started offering wine, supplied by four liquor retailers and two wineries, on Thursday.

TradeMe spokesman Michael Gregg said the company had been considering the merits of entering the wine market for several years, but waited until it had the adequate systems in place to prevent sales to minors.

Customers could buy wine only in lots of six or 12 bottles and had to pay by credit card. TradeMe also insisted the wine suppliers put a clause in the contracts with their delivery companies that they ask for proof of age identification when delivering wine, and not leave it on doorsteps if no one was at home.

Gregg said TradeMe had been encouraged by the proliferation of wine websites over the past few years and the lack of problems they had encountered.

The website would not be offering beer, pre-mixed drinks or spirits, and use of the website would be restricted to a limited number of selected wine suppliers, Gregg said.

Those participating so far included liquor chain Glengarry, Hawke's Bay-based wine retailer Advintage and Marlborough winery Mt Olympus.

Gregg said he believed much of the growth of wine sales through TradeMe would come from independent wineries extending their cellar door operations to reach new customers.

By Friday afternoon the six suppliers participating so far had listed 111 different wines for sale on the website. Glengarry director Jak Jakicevich said the prices it charged on TradeMe would be the same as those in its 17 retail stores and on its own shopping website.