Welcome to the January issue of Wholesale Manager. With just under a year to go until the smokefree generation age-of-sale law is due to take effect on 1st January 2027, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Chief Executive Hazel Cheeseman has written an open letter to retailers across the UK setting out what the change will mean for businesses, communities and public health and urging the sector to treat the policy as a manageable transition with long-term benefits for business and public health. Under the new measure, it will be illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, with the legal age of sale rising by one year every year.
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Co-op Wholesale is strengthening its commitment to independent retailer partners with the expansion of its wholesale own-brand offer across key growth and mission-led categories. The move follows strong retailer demand for greater choice, improved margins, and access to a nationally trusted convenience brand. To provide independents with an advantage in the “dinner for tonight” mission, the Co-op’s dine in own brand range, ‘Served’ is launching into the wholesale channel.
Specialist fresh produce supplier, Bidfresh, has released its latest ‘Growing Greener’ sustainability report, unveiling a refreshed sustainability framework and a new mission and vision that will guide the business towards a more responsible and resilient future. As sustainability expectations rise across the industry, Bidfresh has provided evidence-based insight into how it’s addressing environmental and social challenges across the supply chain.
The Wholesale Group concluded its first conference on a celebratory note, reflecting on the progress made since its formation at the beginning of 2025. With the theme ‘Innovate, Share, Thrive’, wholesale members and suppliers attended the conference, which took place in Tenerife, and took part in more than 645 business development meetings to cement plans for collaborative working for 2026. Chairman Mark Aylwin and Joint Managing Directors Tom Gittins, Jess Douglas and Coral Rose told Wholesale Manager about the group’s new Jake AI and their target to grow turnover to £5 billion by 2027.
A major shift is underway at Parfetts in how brands show up across its digital estate in 2026. Category zones will be rolled out over the coming months and will be central to the next phase of the digital strategy in 2026. The business expects the approach to reshape how suppliers, wholesalers and independent retailers work together, writes Melanie Clayton, Digital Marketing Manager at Parfetts.
While the merits of first mover advantage are many and substantial, they are not automatic. Early entrants also face risks, including uncertain demand, immature technology, and high development costs. Our industry tends to be cautious around being first mover, writes David Gilroy.
Enjoy reading the issue.
George Simpson
Group Editor
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