Wholesaling news

The Grocer has reported that independent chain Jempson’s is to become the second Together with Morrisons retailer, with plans to convert its six stores to the dual-branded fascia. Jempson’s will convert its superstore in Peasmarsh to the new fascia later this spring, with the remainder of the estate to follow during 2023. The move will be a blow for Nisa, which has been Jempson’s primary supplier...

Instacart, the leading on-demand grocery delivery platform and technology company in North America, has launched Instacart Business, a new business-focused offering. This is a further shift in the company’s model as it aims to be a broader platform for retail. Business focused ranges Available on the Instacart marketplace, this new offer highlights ranges from retailers including Costco Bus...

Leading national wholesale buying group Unitas has rejigged its executive structure with Cheryl Hope, Trading Director now assuming responsibility for the whole of its trading function and reporting directly into Managing Director John Kinney. Aoife Kenny to focus on strategic development projects Aoife Kenny, who has previously had trading under her overall remit as Commercial Director wil...

Co-op wholesale subsidiary, Nisa has announced a £6m investment into lowering the cost of more than a thousand branded products for its retailers. Using market data to identify key lines, Nisa has targeted these reductions to the most important ambient categories for symbol and independent retailers: beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks and tobacco. Focus on branded lines to match previous reduc...

Metro Group has recorded a strong Q1 2022/23, seeing sales increase in local currency by 5.2% in the period. We also look at some of its recent developments to continue growth into Q2. Year-on-year growth across markets Recording total sales of €8.1 billion for Q1 2022/23, an increase of 6.6% YoY, Metro Group had good sales performance in all markets, except for Russia: Germany – sale...

In its latest reported financial results, for the year to 30 June 2022, Bestway Group has reported that its core Wholesale division, including Costcutter and Bestway Retail as well as its cash & carry operation, had sales of £2.94 bn, up 11% on 2021. Total Group revenue, which also includes Bestway's pharmacy, banking and cement businesses was £4.08 bn. Performance boosted by Costcutter and in...

Walmart plans to open around 30 new Sam’s Club warehouses across the US over the coming five years. The decision, which represents its most aggressive expansion in years, was made following record same-store sales growth and an all-time high in memberships. Most aggressive expansion in years Walmart operates close to 600 Sam’s Club stores across the US. Its most recent opening was in Hanove...

Major UK wholesale business A.F. Blakemore, and the biggest distributor within the UK’s SPAR retail network, has appointed Carol Welch as CEO to replace Jerry Marwood; who has held the role for the last 11 years and is leaving to focus on consultancy and non-executive directorships. New CEO joins from ODEON Cinemas Group For the last six years Carol Welch has been managing director UK & Ire...

Bidcorp UK, the parent of major national foodservice wholesaler Bidfood, has started 2023 by making two acquisitions in as many weeks, with the purchase of regional competitors Harvest Fine Foods (based in Southampton) and Thomas Ridley (based in Bury St Edmunds). Both were well established members of the Country Range foodservice wholesaling consortium, and have switched into Bidcorp’s buying gr...

In the first stage of it scaling back operations in the Asian market, German based Metro Group is selling its wholesale format in India to local retailer Reliance Retail. Scaling back in Asia to focus on European ventures The sale of Metro’s operation in India will see Reliance Retail take over its 31 wholesale stores, with the deal expected to be concluded in March 2023. Metro has been pre...