Bestway Wholesale has announced the launch of the ‘Good Food Retail Network’ in collaboration with Impact on Urban Health and Rice Marketing to improve access to ‘healthier, affordable and culturally relevant’ food in independent convenience stores.
The group noted that for millions of families across the UK, particularly in lower-income communities, the convenience store is the store that they use and rely on. When healthier choices are missing, communities are left with limited options, often defaulting to less healthy diets. The Good Food Retail Network aims to tackle this issue by enabling independent retailers to stock and promote healthier ranges that customers can afford.
The launch comes as the government develops its Ten-Year Health Plan and considers extending HFSS (High Fat, Salt or Sugar) restrictions to the convenience sector. Bestway noted that the initiative has already attracted government interest as a practical model for driving change at store level.
The Good Food Retail Network builds on a project launched in 2019 by Rice Marketing and Impact on Urban Health, with Bestway as wholesale partner. A 2020 pilot, run through selected Bestway depots, proved that retailers could increase sales by stocking healthier options.
The pilot saw over 100 healthier lines (across chilled, frozen, grocery, bakery, confectionery, soft drinks and snacks) promoted in two London Bestway depots, supported by point-of-sale, promotional activity and shelf-labelling. Results showed that simple changes in pricing, placement and promotions can have a measurable impact on purchasing behaviour – and ultimately on health outcomes.
This work is now being scaled up through Bestway’s national footprint of 62 depots and 100,000 retail customers. The Network already includes more than 220 retailers across Costcutter, Best-one, Londis, Nisa, Premier and SPAR, with supplier backing from brands such as Danone, Kind Snacks, KP Snacks, Mars and Nestle and the support of 13 local authorities.
Kenton Burchell, Group Trading Director, Bestway Wholesale, said: “Bestway Wholesale is proud to be the first national wholesaler to implement this model, developed with Rice Marketing and Impact for Urban Health. Together we’ve proven that healthier products can drive sales through smarter placement and promotion – and this is a blueprint that can be scaled across the industry.
“No other wholesaler has the scale and relationships to deliver this at pace – and that is why Bestway is leading the charge. For Bestway, this work is central to our ESG commitments. We recognise our responsibility to support public health, anticipate government policy, and help independent retailers grow sustainably. By leading this collective movement, we can make a real difference to families who need access to affordable, nutritious food the most.”
Stephanie Rice, Director of Rice Marketing, added: “We are delighted to launch the next stage of the Good Food Retail Network. This is more than a campaign; it’s a long-term shift in how the sector can operate. By uniting wholesalers, suppliers, retailers and local government, we’ve created a scalable blueprint for the industry. With healthier, affordable products already gaining traction, this Network is driving real, lasting change.”
Following a launch event yesterday, Bestway Wholesale will host a series of one-day trade events across seven London depots – the same depots that have supplied the Good Food Retail Network with stock funded by local Councils. Backed by leading suppliers, the events will feature deep-cut promotions on a wide selection from its ‘Healthier 100’ range. The initiative is designed to give retailers within the network greater incentive to stock healthier options, while also benefiting from attractive margins.
