Welcome to the Summer 2012 Wholesale Manager. It’s summer in the UK – which means of course that purchases of umbrellas and wellies are soaring! Earlier this year the IGD estimated that sales through the grocery and foodservice wholesaling sector in 2011 reached £26.6bn, 2.9% up on 2010. We look forward to what they say about 2012…
With the Diamond Jubilee, the Euro’s, Wimbledon and the Olympics, there’s plenty going on even with the damp weather to generate increased sales for Britain’s independent retailers, pubs and restaurants, and the wholesalers and cash ‘n’ carries who serve them.
In this issue you’ll find a selection of stories from the industry and news from suppliers to help improve your performance. As an example, the lead story on our front page shows food companies are continuing to innovate and deliver quality in all trade channels, including wholesale. Dina Foods, the authentic handmade Mediterranean foods specialists have launched a step forward in the quality and choice of flatbreads available here, with the introduction of their new Paninette flat bread range. Dina’s Paninettes are already enjoying healthy sales in ASDA and are now being introduced in wholesalers, cash ‘n’ carries and major foodservice distributors.
Despite all the trials and tribulations we’re facing with the weather, as Mark Alldred, Republic’s UK Marketing Manager, points out, Britain is bursting with pride at the moment. Lest we forget, 2012 is about celebrating the Best of British, and roll your own accessories specialist Republic Technologies UK is enabling smokers to get in on the action with a limited edition range of market-leading Swan filters in Union Jack packs designed to help independent retailers signpost the smokers’ accessories category in store.
Among other brands making the news, Kepak Convenience Foods, makers of hot snacking market leaders Rustlers and Zugo’s Deli Café, are stepping up their investment in the UK market, which is translating into increased sales in the wholesale sector. And Enco Products, makers of Encona Sauces are emphasising their status as the ‘Taste Explorers’ with a new African Peri Peri variant joining their other market leading hot sauces. That should cheer up the brave Brits barbecuing under canvas this summer.
Finally, in our regular section on the Warehouse we have more stories on the latest equipment and solutions to help you get the best out of this essential part of your business. Among these, Toyota Materials Handling UK has launched a Guide to Forklift Safety in the Workplace, and Castell Safety International has launched a web shop with unique functionality, the Porta Castell.
Have a successful summer, and keep dry!
James Surridge, Publishing Editor
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