Amber Beverage Group UK, a major alcohol wholesaler supplying leading UK supermarkets, has collapsed into administration after nearly 27 years of trading, with losses exceeding £21.1 million.
The London-headquartered firm, which supplied well-known wine, beer and spirit brands to Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Co-op, stopped trading and submitted a notice to the High Court. Founded in 1999 as Cellar Trends, the company was acquired by the Luxembourg-based Amber Beverage Group in 2018.
Failed sale leads to administration
Administrators from the accounting firm BDO LLP were appointed on October 19, following unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for the business. A spokesperson for BDO told The Herald: "Prior to the appointment of administrators, efforts were made to sell the business as a going concern, but this proved not to be possible."
The company, which distributed 60 international brands to retailers across all sectors of the UK drinks industry, last lodged accounts with Companies House in January 2026, revealing losses of more than £21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, according to the Spirits Business.
Portfolio and staff impact
ABG UK's portfolio included Moskovskaya Vodka, Rooster Rojo Tequila, KAH Tequila, The Irishman Whiskey, Writers' Tears Whiskey, Riga Black Balsam, Cross Keys Gin and Cosmopolitan Diva.
According to The Herald Scotland, the vast majority of the firm's 27 staff members have been made redundant with immediate effect, while a small number have been retained on a temporary basis to assist with the administration process.
