Welcome to the November issue of Wholesale Manager. Sysco GB and Meals & More have teamed up to brief parliamentarians on the growing child food poverty crisis facing the UK, and to call on the Government for further support. The Tackling Food Poverty event saw MPs, Lords and Westminster colleagues hear about the progress being made to end holiday hunger and the significant hurdles that still need to be overcome.
The Wholesale Group, the UK’s largest delivered wholesale buying group, is leading the industry with its latest technology innovation which will be transformational for its members, supplier partners and team. At its conference in Tenerife, the group revealed how its groundbreaking Jake by ShopAI, believed to be world’s first email-native business intelligence platform with ephemeral analytical workspaces, can transform email inboxes into analytical environments without the need to install software.
Nisa Local Otterbourne has shown its commitment to the local community by securing a £2,000 donation for Pavilion on the Park in Eastleigh. The award was made possible through Co-op Wholesale’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity, after the store nominated the centre for MADL’s Thrive in 2025 Heart of the Community Award. Pavilion on the Park, which has been managed by the Eastleigh Youth and Community Trust since its opening in 2008, is a vibrant community hub dedicated to helping residents lead active, flourishing lives.
Parfetts has appointed Mark Bottomley as its new Head of Trading to support the company’s goal of achieving £1 billion in turnover and expanding to 2,000 fascia members. His focus will be on strengthening supplier relationships and exploring new opportunities across depots, digital platforms, and the Go Local symbol estate. Mark tells Wholesale Manager what made him want to get into wholesaling and about some of the biggest challenges he has faced in the industry.
Caterfood Buying Group is a collection of independent foodservice suppliers working together to offer both extensive product range, industry knowledge and geographical coverage. The group brings together foodservice businesses to share industry knowledge, collaborate and supply customers with exceptional food and drink. Phil Atyeo, Managing Director, The Caterfood Buying Group tells Wholesale Manager some of the biggest challenges he has faced as a wholesaler and how CFBG demonstrates a commitment to people and community.
Whether it is called ESG or simply acting responsibly, many businesses have proved that operating with ethics can be profitable and sustainable. Customers may not use the term ESG, but they will increasingly expect their service providers to be able to demonstrate socially responsible, ethical, and sustainable practices. Those that do will have the competitive advantage, writes David Gilroy.
Enjoy reading the issue.
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