The Company
Heritage & Ethos
Alivini was founded in 1975 to meet the growing demand for quality Italian food and wine in the UK. From the outset, our ethos has been simple: to give equal importance to quality and choice. Today, we continue to take pride in offering a vast array of products, from beloved Italian classics to largely undiscovered regional specialties and artisanal delicacies.
Italy is one of the world’s most exciting wine-producing countries, with a diversity that ensures there is a wine to suit every palate. Over several decades, Alivini’s portfolio has been carefully curated to include both Italy’s most renowned producers and smaller, unsung heroes, perfectly complementing the delicious range of food products we import.
We do more than cater to conventional Italian cuisine. We actively seek out new delicacies — both those popular in Italy and those well-suited to the British market — while preserving the traditions that form the foundation of Italian gastronomy. Our aim is to bring a fresh, authentic image of Italian produce to the UK.
Products & Reach
While some may prioritise the lowest price, we believe that quality and fair pricing must always come first. This principle has established Alivini as the UK’s leading Italian specialist, honouring the rich culinary legacy of the country we represent.
Over the years, the balance between food and wine sales in the UK has shifted. In the 1980s and 1990s, Italian wines dominated our turnover, representing around 70% of sales. Today, wine accounts for approximately 40%, with food representing the majority. Our customers have traditionally included restaurants and independent grocery and delicatessen sectors, and we are now expanding into hotels, bars, off-licences, and private sales through our new e-commerce platform.
In recent years, the Board of Directors has modernised the Company, updating both operations and technology. The introduction of Alivini’s new website allows us to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and engage more interactively with all our customers, ensuring we continue to deliver the very best of Italy to the UK.
