Welcome to the August issue of Wholesale Manager. Wholesale and convenience data experts TWC Group, reports the latest sales performance for 13 weeks to 9 July 2023, from its SmartView Convenience market read for independent convenience retail and wholesaler-supplied symbol stores in GB. The latest data reports a strong value performance for impulse categories, including soft drinks (+15.7%), confectionery (+19.8%) and crisps, snacks & nuts (+21.0%). Total sales through the channel grew +5.0% in value terms for the 13 w/e 09 July 2023.
Sugro UK, the prominent member-owned buying and marketing group comprising of over 90 independent wholesalers, announced the expansion of its membership with the addition of Ozmen Ltd as a new member to the group. This strategic move aims to bolster the buying group’s influence in the marketplace, further solidifying its position as a leading force within the industry. Ozmen Ltd, a well-established and highly respected wholesaler and distributor specialising in impulse products, grocery, and household goods, has been serving the Sheffield community since 2010 as well operating café and bakery facilities.
Deliveroo has announced a new partnership with Bestway, the largest trade-only wholesaler in the UK, providing restaurant partners with access to cheaper everyday essentials. With food inflation continuing to impact restaurants across the UK, the partnership will help restaurants cut costs and on average an independent restaurant could save £5,000. The considerable savings come on restaurant essentials, including soft drinks, flour, rice, sugar and dairy products.
E-commerce in wholesale is growing in volume sales and is set for continued growth in the next few years. Wholesalers need to understand the scale of the opportunity and suppliers need to learn how they can best support wholesalers in maximising e-commerce sales. WM asked leading wholesalers how the sector can grow e-commerce sales in a special report.
Bagged snacks is a crucial category that continues to thrive and prosper. For the first time, the category is worth over £4.1bn and is growing 13% YOY (NielsenIQ) – that’s faster than other Impulse categories in units, penetration and frequency. Wholesale Manager went to Lioncroft Aston Cross, Birmingham to speak to Andy Staley, Business Account Manager, KP Snacks, and Darren Pugh, Head of Trading at Lioncroft, to talk about KP’s in-depot activity based around its sponsorship of The Hundred cricket tournament which gave retailers the chance to play virtual reality cricket.
A staggering 86% of UK hospitality operators will likely have to close in the next three years if their business costs don’t reduce and their revenue doesn’t increase, according to the Plates to Profits Report by Creed Foodservice. Wholesale Manager spoke to Philip de Ternant, Managing Director of Creed Foodservice about the report and the state of the hospitality sector.
Enjoy reading the issue.
George Simpson
Group Editor
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