Co-op Wholesale (formerly known as Nisa) has agreed a multi-year contract with motorway service area operator Roadchef.
The contract includes bringing the Co-op offer and own brand range to eight grocery stores on Roadchef sites that were previously operated by SPAR.
Co-op Wholesale noted that the deal supports its ambitions to broaden its reach within the wider business-to-business market and bring the best of Co-op to more partners following its recent rebranding.
For Roadchef, which attracts 52 million visitors annually, the tie-up supports investment in modernising its sites.
“This is a huge moment for us as we enter our new chapter as Co-op Wholesale, and we’re delighted to be working with all the team at Roadchef,” said Katie Secretan, Managing Director at Co-op Wholesale.
“We’re looking forward to bringing a fresh approach to these stores, catering to the needs of all these customers and making sure they can access an award-winning own brand range, whilst on the move.
“The beauty of our flexible wholesale model means we’re able to work cross-functionally with the teams at Roadchef to select the right fascia and proposition for their locations, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
Kevin Whitehouse, Retail, Procurement & Supply Chain Director from Roadchef, added: “The complete offer from Co-op Wholesale really resonates with what we’re trying to achieve at Roadchef, and we chose to partner with them due to the strength of their own brand range and distribution network. Our customers are looking for great quality products on the go, and this is exactly what we’ll be able to offer through Co-op Wholesale.”
The first stores are expected to roll out between June and September, with “further opportunities being mutually explored”.
NAM Implications:
- As with all retail, it’s a ‘try it & see’ environment.
- And with each party having needs-in-common…
- …positive results will drive speed of roll-out.
- (Branded suppliers will note the emphasis on own label optimisation and may want to offer alternatives?)
