Britain needs cheering up after the grim events in Manchester and London and the sense of unreality after the election. Now is the time for Britain’s delivered wholesalers and cash & carries to support our independent retailers and caterers in their efforts to lighten the nation’s spirits by providing the food, drink and other essentials we need to party all summer.
We have extensive news in this issue from Pro-Retail 2017 in Telford last month. Speaking at the show Martyn Ward, MD of Palmer & Harvey, conceded that P&H is having a struggle educating customers to buy the right products: “If the range is correct, retailers will get the benefits, but a lot of currently stocked convenience products just shouldn’t be there.” John Drake at P&G, among others, has made the same argument in recent months.
Despite its recent challenges Palmer & Harvey still looks outward and remains true to its roots as a people business dedicated to serving independent retailers, caterers and their communities. In a warm-hearted initiative launched at Pro-Retail, sending a supportive message to the families and friends affected, P&H have joined up with Missing People, a new charity partner and reprinted their van panels to feature missing individuals.
More proof that this is a bighearted industry, we also have news in this issue of Primula donating £52,000 to the NSPCC, Oakland International’s Dean Attwell walking to the North Pole for Cancer Research, reaching there as news broke of his company’s double Queen’s Award win and a Blakemore Logistics team raising over £4,000 for a local hospice.
The first thing you need to maximise summer drinks sales is availability of stock when the weather gets hot, so customers can capitalise on the opportunity. That’s the message in our Waters & Juices feature from William Watkins, MD of Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company, in our exclusive interview.
To keep goods moving at busy times wholesalers needs investment in their warehouse operations. In our Warehouse feature we have news about Costco increasing loading efficiency and operator safety with a new loading ramp from Thorworld at its Crick distribution depot. With cash & carry customers walking around near forklifts, we also have a reminder about the need to put the emphasis on safety and care for pedestrian visitors.
And finally, in our Quote Unquote feature we hear from Iannick Melançon, Commercial Director at Danone Waters UK & Ireland, who says his greatest luxury in life is a long bike ride in the Surrey Hills, presumably equipped with a good supply of Danone waters! If you’d like to feature in Quote Unquote, get in touch.
Comments are closed.