Multi temperature supply chain specialist in warehousing and logistics, Oakland International, is set to celebrate their very own ‘Independents Day’ following the firm’s subsidiary Oakland Distribution’s successes in supporting independent retailers and wholesalers, a story that began a little over three years ago.
Since 2008, and with the launch of Oakland Distribution, firm focus has been placed on independent retailers and wholesalers, with Oakland signing 32 members of Landmark’s wholesale estate to an initial contract, a contract that now extends to over 110 wholesalers across the UK and includes Parfetts, Blakemores and many others, delivering a turnover in excess of £10 million in this year alone.
Oakland International’s Managing Director, Dean Attwell, stated: “The independent sector is big, but it lacks the discipline the multiples impose on product flow and centralised distribution, resulting in costs that can be 40% higher in the supply chain than the big five retailers. Oakland can and does eliminate this gap for independent retailers using our winning consolidation scheme.”
Having recently won the prestigious Business Initiative of the Year award at this year’s The Grocer Gold Awards 2011, with over 250 chilled SKU’s handled by Oakland Distribution every day, in addition to the 300 plus ambient products, the firm now believes it has one of the most attractive independent retailer offers available in the marketplace.
Said Dean “A strong chilled offer will be essential to build footfall and increase sales; with competitive pricing key to success. Nisa, Spar, and Musgrave have all shown how this model of shop can succeed. With Oakland Distribution working on volume, we deliberately run on low margins to ensure we cannot be beaten on price, and with our aim to increase turnover to £64 million by 2015, it will more than treble our current level. ”
With over 6,000 convenience stores from the remaining 75,000 independents currently operated by the big five, Oakland forecasts that if the supply chain relationship doesn’t change, this number is set for accelerated growth.
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