The members of Confex and Fairway Foodservice are joining forces to create a new wholesale buying group.
Officially launching on 1 January 2025, The Wholesale Group will provide “extensive retail and foodservice support for independent wholesalers as they navigate the changing dynamics of the wholesale landscape”.
The group will be led by four stalwarts of the wholesale channel – joint Managing Directors Tom Gittins and Jess Douglas, supported by Martin Williams and Coral Rose as Co-Chairs.
The Wholesale Group will represent more than 12% of the UK wholesale sector, with its members generating sales of nearly £4.5bn from 253 depots that serve nearly 350,000 customers.
“Put simply, this is the buying group that the sector needs,” said Gittins.
“The Wholesale Group will be the only UK buying group to offer an extensive retail and foodservice range and expertise, alongside logistics efficiency via central distribution. It has an award-winning foodservice own brand supported by bespoke, coordinated member marketing and retail member support. And there are no membership fees and every member receives a share of the profits. We are delighted to launch The Wholesale Group as we know it is the solution for the independent wholesaler.”
Douglas added: “The sector has changed dramatically and it is crucial that we do things differently to accommodate these changes for both our members and suppliers, and The Wholesale Group will lead the way. Driven by data and technology and with a crystal-clear focus on service, it will be the largest delivered buying group, the largest foodservice buying group and the second largest retail buying group in the UK.”
NAM Implications:
- Given the post-Lockdown problems faced by foodservice…
- …amalgamations, takeovers and mergers should come as little surprise.
- Hence the need for suppliers to minimise potential Prices & Terms disparities.
- Meanwhile, prepare for the increased buying muscle of the 12% share of the Confex & Fairway Foodservice combo.
