ON MINDY MONDAIR
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Castell Howell embarks on major expansion at Llanelli HQ.
Brakes gives value boost and extends range
Brakes has given £8.2 million in value back to foodservice operators over the past 12 months.
The wholesaler has passed on £2 million in savings across 40 of its highest volume lines, including chips, butter, cheese, bacon and blue roll.
Alongside this, the mybrakes rewards scheme has returned over £6 million in cashback to members. Because this is a personalised programme, the rewards are tailored to the
requirements of individual businesses.
Brakes has also helped customers to identify costeffective changes through its Swap & Save website mechanic.
Michael Andersen, chief commercial officer at Brakes, said: “Operators are under real pressure, and value has become a critical differentiator. Returning more than £8 million in a single year shows the scale of our commitment to supporting customers’ profitability.”
In other news, the wholesaler has launched a new range of Sysco Premium Deep Fill Pies, which are produced in small oven-cooked batches rather than the large kettles used in most largescale production.
Each pie has a butter-
enriched shortcrust pastry case and a deep fill format that delivers a fully packed pie with no void between the filling and the pastry lid. The lids are hand finished with toppings such as rosemary or cracked black pepper.
Ahead of launch, the full range was entered into the British Pie Awards.
The Beef Bourguignon Deep Fill Shortcrust Pie was awarded Class Winner and Gold, while the Chicken Ham Hock & Leek Pie and the Venison & Port Pie were both Highly Commended Silver award winners. The Chicken
Leek & Wholegrain Mustard Pie also achieved Silver, while the Barber’s Cheddar Potato & Onion vegetarian pie was awarded Bronze.
Brakes has also expanded its Keystone brand to more than 40 products covering all aspects of kitchen cleaning.
First launched in 2025, the colour-coded range has been developed by Ecolab in association with Sysco.
Keystone includes products for different uses, from dishwashing to disinfection.
JJ seeks more suppliers as it grows
JJ Foodservice is calling on food, drink, cleaning and packaging suppliers to apply for its Future Partners programme.
Future Partners is a free initiative designed to connect prospective partners with JJ buyers at this year’s JJ Connect conference.
Following a successful debut in 2025, Future Partners is returning as the wholesaler continues to expand its range and open new branches across the UK.
This year, JJ Connect takes place on 9 October at Convene, Bishopsgate, in London.
The conference, themed ‘The New Food Landscape’, will be chaired by hospitality expert Simon Stenning, CEO of Future Foodservice. It will feature market insights from
Circana, supplier success stories, and Speed Connecting sessions with JJ’s buying team.
Suppliers can register their interest via a free online application form, and shortlisted suppliers will be invited to take part in Speed Connecting sessions.
Sezer Ozkul, chief product officer at JJ Foodservice, said: “Our customers are
changing and so is the way people eat. We’re growing into new markets including hotels, home delivery and retail, and we need the right partners alongside us.
“Future Partners is our way of opening the door to suppliers who share our ambition – whether they’re an established brand or a brilliant small producer with something different to offer.”
In other news, JJ Foodservice has launched a range of herbs and spices under its new Signature brand – a premium ownbrand range designed for caterers and home cooks alike.
The range includes 16 products spanning everyday essentials like ground black pepper, oregano and cumin through to speciality ingredients like turmeric, sumac and isot pepper.
The new herbs and spices range also includes four new JJ own-label 3kg lines: ground black pepper, garlic powder, crushed chilli and paprika powder.
The Signature herbs and spices range features colourcoded packaging – green for herbs, red for spices and offwhite for other products.
Bestway acquires Dee Bee Wholesale
Bestway Wholesale has announced the acquisition of DB Ramsden & Co, trading as Dee Bee Wholesale, for an undisclosed sum.
Founded in 1961, Dee Bee Wholesale has been operating for more than 65 years with annual sales of approximately £57 million in its last financial year.
The family-owned company employs 87 people at its two depots in Hull and Grimsby and serves more than 1,400 retail and on-trade customers in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
The acquisition forms part of Bestway Wholesale’s continued strategic growth plans and strengthens its regional footprint.
Nick Ramsden, managing director of Dee Bee Wholesale, said: “This marks an important milestone for Dee Bee Wholesale and the Castell Howell Foods has embarked on a major expansion at its headquarters in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.
next stage in the business’s journey.
“I am confident that becoming part of the Bestway Wholesale network will create new opportunities for the business and bring long-term benefits for customers, colleagues and suppliers alike.
“Customers can be reassured that it is very much business as usual. Our team, service and local relationships remain in place, and we will continue to support customers with the same commitment and service they have come to expect.”
Ramsden himself will remain within the business. His continued involvement is designed to ensure a smooth transition whilst maintaining
the strong relationships Dee Bee has built over the years.
He added: “As the business becomes integrated into the wider Bestway Wholesale network, customers will also benefit from access to Bestway’s competitive pricing, market-leading promotions and extensive product range, creating an even stronger proposition for the future.”
Bestway Wholesale’s MD Dawood Pervez said: “We are delighted to welcome Dee Bee Wholesale into the Bestway Wholesale network.
“Both businesses share a long-standing commitment to customer service, independent retail and supporting local businesses.”
Pervez added: “The acquisition reinforces our ambition, our confidence in the wholesale sector and our commitment to being the partner of choice for independent retailers and suppliers across the UK.”
As a result of the acquisition, Dee Bee Wholesale has ceased to be a member of Unitas.
John Kinney, CEO of Unitas, said: “Dee Bee has played an important role in the history of our group, and we thank the Ramsden family and their colleagues for their contribution over many years. While we are naturally sorry to see them leave, we respect their decision and wish them every success.”
Major expansion at Llanelli headquarters
The development, which boasts a 103,000 sq ft building next to the existing depot, will feature a state-ofthe-art cold store, as well as 16,000 sq ft of office suites and amenity space.
The site will also have more than 150 car parking spaces, 48 truck parking spaces and eight loading bays.
The expansion is taking place on a 7.4-acre site forming part of the wider Cross Hands Food Park and will significantly increase the wholesaler’s operational efficiency.
The project, which is expected to take two years
to complete, marks one of the most significant periods of growth in Castell Howell’s history. It not only secures and protects existing jobs, but also creates the platform, capacity and infrastructure needed to support continued growth.
Martin Jones, director of transport operations, said:
“Growing up and watching my parents build Castell Howell from such humble beginnings has been incredibly special, and to now see the business expanding on this scale, right here in our home county, is something that means a great deal to our whole family.
“This project is far more
than just a major investment in buildings and infrastructure, it’s an investment in our people, our customers, our community and the future of the business for generations to come.”
Jones added: “Castell Howell has always been built on relationships, trust and supporting local communities, and we are immensely proud that this development continues that tradition.
“We’re especially pleased to be partnering with Jones Bros (Henllan) as the main contractor on the project – as a fellow Cross Hands business, they share many of the same values as us, and it’s important to us that local investment remains at the heart of this development.”
Pervez: ‘The acquisition reinforces our ambition.’
KCS opens new Croydon depot
KCS Cash & Carry has opened a new 30,000 sq ft depot in Croydon.
Located at Segro Park, Redhouse Road, the branch trades from 8am to 7pm.
Founded in 2019 by Kiran Singh and Chander Singh, KCS Cash & Carry is based at a 35,000 sq ft depot in Hayes and offers a range of over 10,000 products to retail and catering customers.
It also has an own brand, KCS Foods, which features products that are ‘carefully curated to meet specific demands’ it has identified in London.
The Croydon opening is expected to create more than 30 jobs and aligns with the company’s ‘Vision 2030’
ambition to achieve doubledigit growth year on year.
Croydon was selected due to strong demand from the area’s Afro-Caribbean and broader multicultural retail market, alongside the opportunity to support a wide mix of independent
£7 million deal
AF Blakemore recently announced that it has acquired 71 SPAR stores from Appleby Westward Group (AWG) and will supply a further 130 independent SPAR stores in a deal worth £7 million.
The agreement will also see AF Blakemore acquire the distribution and logistics operations at Saltash in Plymouth. The majority of AWG’s retail and logistics employees will join AF Blakemore.
Following completion, AF Blakemore will support more than 1,000 SPAR stores, reinforcing its position as the UK’s largest SPAR operator.
Peter Blakemore, chairman of AF Blakemore & Son, said: “As a family business with more than a century of history, we have always believed in long-term investment in the SPAR brand and the independent retailers we serve. This expansion into the South West reflects that commitment.”
businesses and foodservice customers.
The depot offers around 8,000 SKUs, with a particular focus on world foods, supported by a large chilled and frozen area.
The range has been designed to offer breadth
across key wholesale categories.
Kiran Singh, director of KCS Cash & Carry, which is a member of The Wholesale Group, said: “We look forward to catering to the community in Croydon and providing our valuable customers with strong prices, exceptional service and a wide product range.”
Chander Singh, director of KCS Cash & Carry, added: “The new depot is designed to improve operational efficiency while increasing our distribution reach. It is an important step in our growth plans and will help us support more customers across Croydon and the surrounding area.”
Training session
Country Range Group recently ran an interactive training session for a team at the University Hospitals of Leicester on catering for people with dementia.
The training day was a prize in a campaign in the group’s publication, Stir it up.
The special training day was run in conjunction with International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) consultant Andy Cullum.
It followed publication of the Country Range Group’s comprehensive Catering for Dementia guide last summer that focused on creative solutions to ensure menu inclusivity, nourishment, stimulation and tips to help residents with eating and drinking difficulties.
The interactive day was attended by six NHS catering professionals.
In other news, Country
Range Group has expanded its own-brand portfolio with the addition of Hot Honey and two pollack lines.
One of the biggest trends of the last 12 months, the Hot Honey combines natural sweetness with a gentle chilli heat. It is free from additives and comes in squeezy 720ml bottles in cases of five.
Available in packs of 24, the MSC-rated Country Range Breaded Pollock and Battered Pollock Fillets come frozen and can be cooked in an oven, deep fryer or air fryer.
More Food to Share
Booker has revamped its Food To Share range with a full brand refresh and five new products.
The aim is to give foodservice operators even more choice for sharing boards, small plate dining and GLP-1 friendly menus.
The new products, which are inspired by global flavours and in-demand foods, are Truffle & Mozzarella Bites, Kimchi Hash Browns,
Frickles (pictured), Pork & Nduja Meatballs and Nacho Cheese Triangles.
These additions take the Food To Share range to 20 SKUs, all under Booker’s Chef’s Menu tier.
Upgraded lines include popular products such as Sausage Rolls, Cod Goujons, and Mini Chicken Skewers. Sweet items include French Macarons and Petit Fours.
All products can be cooked from frozen.
Karen Poole, head of own brand, said: “With sporting tournaments and the busy summer season on the horizon, we know they will be popular choices among pubgoers watching football matches, for ordering during impromptu drinks gatherings and for group dining occasions where sharing boards are becoming the norm.”
First in Cardiff
Parfetts has announced the opening of the first Go Local store in Cardiff.
The 1,450 sq ft store is owned by experienced independent retailer Thushapan Luxmekanthan, who bought the site in February 2026.
The Cardiff shop marks Luxmekanthan’s second venture with Go Local, building on the success of his existing forecourt site in Worksop.
He operates an additional four shops in the UK and has more than 10 years of multisite retail experience.
The new 3,500-strong product range features depth across core convenience categories, and to ensure strong local provenance, Luxmekanthan has introduced regional milk, bread, pies and pasties, alongside the Praveen Kumar frozen curry range.
Partnership with Iceland
SPAR UK is aiming to strengthen its frozen food category through a nationwide partnership with Iceland Foods.
At present, 320 SPAR stores in England, Scotland, and Wales stock hundreds of Iceland’s frozen products, and the target is to increase this figure to almost 2,000 over the coming months.
Iceland exclusive brands such as Slimming World, Harry Ramsden’s, TGI Friday’s, and Myprotein will be available in SPAR stores alongside Iceland own-label products and Gregg’s.
Three of SPAR UK’s wholesalers and distributors are behind the collaboration between SPAR and Iceland –CJ Lang & Son (Scotland), James Hall & Co (North of
England), and AF Blakemore & Son (South East, Midlands, and Wales).
Justin Addison, director of Iceland international & UK partnerships, said: “This expansion is a key part of our mission to make Iceland products more accessible to customers wherever they shop.
Luxmekanthan said: “Having operated multiple convenience sites and petrol forecourts, I know exactly what it takes to make a store successful, and Go Local gives me the perfect platform to do just that.”
Guy Swindell, joint managing director at Parfetts, added: “Opening our first Go Local store in Cardiff is another major milestone for the business and reflects the growing interest we are seeing from retailers.”
Meaty range
kff, the Kent-based foodservice wholesaler that is part of Sysco, has launched an expanded meat range.
The 12 new lines span a mix of proteins, including premium lamb cuts such as boneless lamb leg alongside minced and diced variations.
The beef and pork range has also been strengthened with additions including a quality beef topside joint and an Aberdeen Angus beef burger, complemented by two new sausage variants.
“Partnering with CJ Lang, James Hall, and AF Blakemore to expand the offering of Iceland’s frozen food range in SPAR stores across the UK allows us to bring our value and quality to local communities in a way that’s fast, flexible and customer focused.”
Completing the line-up are Sysco Essentials chicken breast fillets and Halal chicken drumsticks.
Neil Williams, MD at kff, said: “These new lines offer greater flexibility for menu planning and give chefs access to dependable, highperformance products.”
Customer and community engagement
SPAR Scotland wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang & Son has announced the rollout of the Barista Bar loyalty app across its store network.
The My Barista Bar Rewards+ app, developed to reward regular coffee customers, is being introduced in participating SPAR Scotland stores, giving shoppers a new way to earn rewards, access exclusive offers, and enjoy a more personalised in-store experience.
The rollout forms part of
Workplace win
Sugro UK has been recognised as a Best Small Place to Work in the UK by The Sunday Times in partnership with WorkL.
The list of winners recognises organisations with the highest levels of employee engagement, experience and wellbeing in the UK.
Emma Senior, Sugro UK MD, said: “This accolade belongs entirely to our exceptionally dedicated team.
“At Sugro, we have always believed that a buying group’s greatest asset is its people. Cultivating an inclusive, supportive and highly motivating workplace environment directly translates to the industry-leading support we provide to our 80+ wholesale members.”
SPAR Scotland’s broader strategy to enhance its instore experience and leverage digital tools to boost footfall and customer retention.
For example, CJ Lang & Son has partnered with SocioLocal to introduce a new local social retail media capability.
The initiative gives suppliers the ability to activate campaigns across SPAR Scotland’s network of 91 local store social media pages, combining organic local content with paid amplification.
Campaigns can run on Facebook and Google channels and can be targeted geographically, enabling brands to align local activity to promotions, seasonal moments, launches, and
wider media plans.
In other news, SPAR Scotland and the Scottish FA have achieved another landmark year for the SPAR Scotland Future Stars programme.
A record number of girls (3,018) participated in this year’s competition, culminating in a Finals Day that took place at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park.
The continued growth of SPAR Scotland Future Stars reflects the increasing momentum behind girls’ football across the country, with schools from communities throughout Scotland taking part in local and regional stages of the tournament before earning the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages in Scottish football.
Sixth new member this year
FB The Wholesaler, based in Gosport in Hampshire, has joined Sterling Supergroup.
Established in 1982, the family-run firm supplies fresh produce, dairy products, prepared vegetables and kitchen essentials to trade and hospitality businesses in Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
Mark Wright, purchasing manager at FB The Wholesaler, said: “As the hospitality and foodservice sectors continue to evolve, collaboration across the wholesale industry is becoming increasingly important, and we see this as a valuable step forward for our business.”
Daniel Larkin, chief commercial officer of Sterling
Supergroup, added: “We are delighted to welcome FB The Wholesaler as our sixth new member this year.”
In other news, Sterling is celebrating the successful completion of the National Three Peaks Challenge by a team of head office colleagues and Sterling members.
Participants included
Daniel Larkin and Kerry Clements from Sterling head office; chairman Nigel Chadd; Shelley Day, Yan Whitechurch and Mike Crowhurst of J&R Foodservice; Mark HunterPickles of Debriar; Paul Northeast of Strachans; Gary Winstanley of Leverbrook Export; and Tom Plews of East Kent Foods.
The fundraising total has now surpassed 63% of Sterling’s £60,000 target.
SPAR Scotland Future Stars finals were held at Hampden.
Fresh additions
James Hall & Co has introduced four new sandwich variants for SPAR North of England stores this summer.
Chicken & Chorizo on malted bread has been introduced, alongside Coronation Chicken, also on malted bread.
Also new are Ham, Cheese & Pickle on white bread, and a BBQ Chicken wrap.
The summer themed packaging is designed to make the four variants stand out from the regular SPAR sandwiches range.
The range has been added to SPAR’s £4.50 or
less standard meal deal, which includes a snack and chilled bottled drink or a hot drink.
The sandwiches and wrap are also part of James Hall & Co’s 1p sandwich pledge, which sees 1p from the sale of every sandwich or wrap sold go to Marie Curie, SPAR UK’s national charity partner.
James Hall & Co recently announced that it is expanding its food manufacturing capabilities.
Chairman & CEO Andrew Hall told more than 600 delegates at the company’s SPAR Forward retailer event: “If we can’t buy it, we will make it”.
More bread lines, cake varieties, on-the-go food solutions, and ready meals are in the pipeline for launch in the months ahead.
James Hall & Co also intends to build on the success of its fresh food range.
Entries now open
Entries have opened for Scottish Wholesale Achievers 2027.
Now in their 24th year, the awards, which are organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association, recognise and reward excellence by businesses and individuals.
There are five supplier awards and 15 wholesaler awards, including two new categories for this year: Wholesaler of the Year (Under £50 Million) and Best Use of Data & Insight.
Following the success of the customer interviews in the Best Cash & Carry and Best Symbol Group categories last year, SWA has introduced customer interviews as part of the judging criteria for Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice.
Once again, the winner of each people category will receive £1,000, and there will be £500 for each runner-up
Seasonal ideas to create stand-out
Bidfood has highlighted the key trends it believes are shaping summer menus:
a Feel-good wholefoods –nourishing dishes full of flavour, colour and texture.
a Sweet heat flavours –combinations such as hot honey with a choice of protein that balance spice, sweetness and freshness.
a Loaded indulgence – visually impactful dishes that deliver comfort, abundance and perceived value.
a Globally inspired desserts – familiar favourites reimagined with international flavours.
a Street food influences –handheld, shareable formats packed with bold global flavours, particularly Korean-
inspired dishes.
With 54% of consumers interested in trying unique dishes when dining out, rising to 76% among selfdescribed foodies, the appetite and growing opportunity for operators to differentiate through creativity and theatre is essential (CGA), says Bidfood.
The wholesaler has developed a new recipe collection to help hospitality operators
turn seasonal menus into standout dining experiences.
In other news, Bidfood’s free e-learning and development platform, Caterers Campus, has now surpassed 10,000 users.
Caterers Campus was launched in 2020 for the care sector during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure learning could continue when face-toface training was no longer possible.
The platform has since expanded across 12 sectors and now features 35 specialist modules, covering food safety, cost control, sustainability, leadership and mental wellbeing. It also includes allergen awareness and menu planning.
and £250 for each highly commended candidate.
SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “Since last year’s awards, we have consulted wholesalers, suppliers and judges to review and refine the criteria and judging process, helping us to deliver an even stronger awards programme this year.”
Any wholesaler with a depot in Scotland may enter the competition and entries are open until 27 July. The entry form can be found at https://www.scottishwholesale.co.uk/achievers.
The Achievers awards dinner will be held on 18 February 2027 at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh.
Cookies
The Wholesale Group has introduced CHEF Approved Cookie Pucks.
Created in response to demand for flexible, easy-toexecute bakery products in foodservice, the launch enables operators to bake cookies from frozen in as little as 15 minutes.
Supplied as pre-portioned cookie dough, the range is available in Milk Chocolate, Double Chocolate and White Chocolate variants.
World Cup winning campaigns
The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest trading opportunities of the year, and wholesalers across the UK have launched huge campaigns to help their customers win extra sales.
As football fever builds and consumers shop for matchday viewing, convenience retailers can tap into largescale support from wholesalers to attract customers and offer competitive deals on fan-favourite products.
Bestway Wholesale is running its World Cup 2026 campaign in over 60 depots nationwide until 16 July.
The initiative combines in-depot theatre, digital communications and trade media engagement.
At the heart of the campaign is the ‘Bestway Stadium’ concept, with depots featuring football-themed installations.
Soft drinks, crisps & snacks, confectionery and licensed products were among Bestway’s top-performing categories during previous football-led trading periods, and this year’s campaign has strong supplier participation across these core categories.
Meanwhile, Parfetts’ ‘Mega World Cup’ campaign involves a six-week programme of promotions, category advice, supplier activations and retailer communications aimed at maintaining
momentum from the opening fixture through to the final.
The activity is built around weekly themes, with targeted promotions in categories including beer, soft drinks, snacks, confectionery and food to go. Parfetts is also offering retailers World Cup PoS kits to create in-store theatre.
To add further scale to its campaign, Parfetts has worked with official World Cup sponsor Budweiser on one of its largest supplier activations to date, comprising significant depot activity and retailer engagement initiatives.
JW Filshill has also teamed up with Budweiser to wrap its fleet and create beer caves at KeyStore shops in Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire.
At KeyStore Pittodrie in Aberdeen –located close to Aberdeen fan zone –another official sponsor, PepsiCo, has joined forces with Filshill and the owner to transform the exterior.
By partnering with suppliers, Filshill is also offering KeyStore retailers the chance to win account credit prizes of up to £1,000 through its order platforms.
United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) unveiled its largest-ever retailer investment programme with the launch of its ‘We Have A Dream’ campaign.
The initiative is designed to help DayToday and Usave retailers drive footfall and increase basket spend during the tournament, and represents the most significant 360-degree consumer-facing activation ever undertaken by UWS.
The package of support incorporates a ‘Scratch, Score, Win’ consumer promotion, digital ‘Spin 2 Win’ activity,
extensive point-of-sale materials, football-themed activations, radio advertising and thousands of instant-win prizes backed by suppliers.
Major prizes include TVs, gaming consoles, football merchandise and a £1,000 weekly cash prize draw.
SPAR Scotland wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang & Son kicked off its ‘Dream Big’ summer football campaign with a bold launch at Hampden Park featuring a branded promotional truck.
During the tournament, SPAR Scotland is hosting in-store events and offering promotions on food and drink, with new deals introduced regularly.
Another SPAR wholesaler, James Hall & Co, has brought back its ‘Win With Every Goal’ campaign.
Running until 19 July when the World Cup final will be held, the initiative gives customers the chance to play daily for instant rewards and to net a £10,000 grand prize.
Over at Booker, a campaign backed by footballers Emile Heskey and Robert Snodgrass is encouraging Premier, Londis and Budgens retailers to capitalise on the World Cup late-night watch-party opportunity – over half of all fixtures in the tournament are due to kick off at 10pm or later.
By promoting products for consumers to enjoy before, during and after the matches, wholesalers are giving their customers every chance of success during this year’s World Cup.
Understanding and adapting
FWD Live! brought together industry executives for a forward-looking discussion on wholesale. The aim of the event was to combine big-picture thinking with practical action.
From promoting wholesale as a career choice to shaping new legislation, Food & Drink Wholesale UK is supporting its members to grow and develop.
At the same time, wholesalers continue to grasp business opportunities by adapting to shifting consumer behaviour. These were some of the issues highlighted by speakers at the FWD Live! conference, held earlier this month in Stratford-upon-Avon.
FWD chief executive James Bielby gave delegates some examples of the work the organisation is doing to strengthen the wholesale industry.
A ’Women Leading Wholesale’ network was launched in January in response to research that showed there is a lack of visible female role models.
“We want to ensure that we are giving opportunities to showcase female leaders driving the channel forward and supporting the development of people coming through. It’s a really exciting programme,” commented Bielby.
Next month, the FWD is going to be promoting wholesale as a career to Parliament. “We’re going to be saying that wholesale is doing an amazing job in creating jobs for the future,” he said.
Other events coming up include an alcohol category event. This follows an event that focused on tobacco and
vapes and led to a new forum being set up to tackle the illicit trade.
DGA supports the FWD with political and policy advice, and one of its managing partners, Katherine Morgan, told delegates that the firm not only aims to defend and protect FWD members’ businesses from political and regulatory threats, it also shapes policy: “We’re not just sitting back – we’re telling the Government what you need to happen and what they need to do to enable you to operate in a better environment.”
Issues that DGA is currently focusing on include potential increases in corporation tax and the National Living Wage, as well as employment rights. “We are talking a great deal to government about policies around employment and responding to many consultations. And of course, EPR, DRS and big sustainability measures are coming in that we need to address.”
Morgan urged wholesalers to get involved with DGA’s work for the FWD. “In order for us to do our work really effectively, we need your help,” she said. “Help us to respond to consultations and please give us your data. We need to have evidence to make our case to government.”
She added: “We really appreciate it when people host MP visits. So if you can have an MP or a political representative at your business, it’s incredibly helpful for us because it enables people to understand the sector and the work that you do.”
In the same way that MPs need to understand the wholesale industry, wholesalers need to understand consumers. At FWD Live! a panel of senior wholesale executives considered the sales opportunities created by changing consumer habits.
James Bielby: ‘Wholesale is doing an amazing job in creating jobs for the future.’
Katherine Morgan: ‘We’re telling the Government what you need to happen.’
Tom Gittins, managing director for retail at The Wholesale Group, said: “If you look back 20 years, we didn’t know what energy was – that wasn’t a category – and since then there have been various upgrades and different things coming onto the market.
“We heard earlier from retailers that they’re looking more and more for new products, experiential reasons to come to a convenience store, and it’s the same in foodservice as well, whether at a coffee shop when you put matcha in a coffee, or whatever it may be.
“I think that younger people especially are looking for new products, looking for new experiences, and that will only ramp up as the younger generation get older.”
Cathal Geoghegan, managing director of Henderson Foodservice, said: “We always have to adapt – resilience is all about adaptability and embracing change.
“The consumer is looking for a lot more experimental experience, not spending maybe as much, but wanting a value-added piece. Therefore we have to assist our customers by bringing new products to the table that help them
Charles Abraham, foodservice director of Bestway Wholesale, said: “I think the change in consumer habits affects both sides – retail wholesale and foodservice wholesale – but the foodservice market is fundamentally different.
“The demand for innovation is there; I spent three years leading the food strategy for Sodexo, and innovation –looking to the supply chain for that to be developed – is a key part of what we did. I think there’s a huge opportunity within wholesale to get ahead of innovation more than it does today and create value for customers.”
Noel Robinson, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “There’s a lot of retailers out there who are entrepreneurs, and they’ve got visions of where they want to take their store. And what they want is for wholesalers to work hand in hand with them: development plans, arranging the space to take account of the growth opportunities, the right sites, the right investment in the store.
“That all leads to growth, so the supplier wins, the wholesaler wins, and the retailer wins.
“Then there’s supplier engagement. For us it’s about partnership and collab-
we actually do our best to deliver it.
“So between the retailer professionalising, and us working closely with the suppliers, that’s the opportunity.”
Sarah Guest, managing director of Rowan International, which specialises in excess stock, addressed the issue of the risk for suppliers in bringing new products to the market and for wholesalers in being left with unsold stock.
“One of the things for a business like ours, and where we try and work with suppliers, is providing an alternative outlook before it becomes a problem,” she said.
“NPD is always required because consumers want choice and variety, and then they’ll go back to the original flavour and favourites that they loved. But if we work with teams at the point at which they’re innovating and think about different routes that are within the wholesale or discount channel across different countries, then actually there are different routes out.
“That means you don’t end up with the problem of having to think, ’What am I’m going do and how much money is this going to cost me?’ – and that’s where businesses like ours really come
Panel members (left to right): Charles Abraham of Bestway Wholesale, Cathal Geoghegan of Henderson Foodservice, Tom Gittins of The Wholesale Group, Noel Robinson of Parfetts, and Sarah Guest of Rowan International.
Building wholesale resilience
Speakers at the Scottish Wholesale Association conference explained how they are tackling industry challenges and adapting to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) continues to work relentlessly in support of its members.
That was the clear message from chief executive Colin Smith at the SWA’s annual conference, which was held last month at Oran Mor in Glasgow and focused on building wholesale resilience.
Opening the event, SWA president Tom Slaven highlighted how the Association has adapted to a changing environment and emphasised that the wider industry must continue to do the same.
“The future of Scottish wholesale lies in the decisions we make, how we deal with costs, customers, regulation, technology, people, politics, and everything else that lies on the desk. There’s plenty coming at us and none of the challenges can be tackled in isolation,” he said.
The Association has a three-year strategy that focuses on data & communication; sustainability; training & development; and advocacy & engagement.
As part of this, the SWA is putting the same request to every political party and stakeholder: secure the supply chain, sustain a skilled and resilient sector, and support the conditions for growth.
Smith said: “Our member surveys ensure that we’re continuously taking stock, using the data to validate our direction and as leverage when we’re making the case for the channel when it matters most.”
Wholesalers in Scotland that responded to the SWA’s latest survey are currently absorbing 1.7% of the increased costs they’re facing, while only 43% of the channel has seen any sales growth in the past 12 months, “and this is probably purely inflationary growth”, said Smith.
He added: “While optimism does exist, only 28% are actually expecting above-inflation growth within the next six months.”
What’s more, a substantial proportion of wholesalers’ investment is helping to manage staffing costs and shortages in the face of recruitment/retention challenges. That’s instead of investing in areas that could drive growth. More than half (53%) of members cited investment in technology and AI as a priority, indicating a shift towards automation and efficiency.
Smith urged wholesalers to continue to tell the SWA what matters to them. “This is how we make sure the SWA stays useful, relevant and focused on the real world that you’re operating in,” he said.
The Association’s current strategy builds on what it has already achieved. For example, the SWA’s ‘Delivering Growth Through Wholesale’ programme,
now in its fourth year, has trained over 200 Scottish producers and delivered an incremental £4.5 million into wholesalers’ business.
Meanwhile, the SWA’s ‘Wholesale Local Food Champion’ programme is currently being refreshed, ready for a new cohort in the autumn who will join the 39 people who have already been trained.
In addition, through the SWA’s seat on the Scottish Government’s Zero Emission Truck Taskforce, six of its wholesale members have joined three different eHGV consortia over the last 12 months, each with a multi-millionpound funding request awaiting sign-off from the new Scottish Government.
“If this is successful, it would be a significant win for the Association and our members, with funding paving the way to transition our fleet to net zero over the next 15 years,” he reported.
As for the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), Smith is helping to lead discussions about its development. “Alongside my counterpart James Bielby of FWD, we’re working to make sure that DRS works for wholesalers and for their customers,” he said.
The SWA is also engaged with local authorities on public procurement, and
Colin Smith: ‘Without the SWA’s work, the channel would be significantly weaker.’
Tom Slaven: ‘None of the challenges can be tackled in isolation.’
with the Scottish Food Commission on the Good Food Nation plans.
Smith commented: “Like an iceberg, 80% of the SWA’s work is never seen or necessarily understood by the membership. Yet without that work, the channel would be significantly weaker.”
The new make-up of the Scottish Government, including 64 new MSPs, and Labour and Reform in opposition to the SNP (which fell short of an overall majority), creates an opportunity for the SWA, maintained its head of public affairs Jayne Swanson.
“It’s going to be very much about building relationships, starting from scratch. This is an opportunity to really challenge people’s perception about what wholesale is, where we sit in the supply chain, and what we offer up to the economy.
“John Swinney [first minister] said that he welcomed the voices of all business and I’m going to take him at his words and chap on his door.”
Swanson urged wholesalers in Scotland to engage with her so that her interactions with MSPs can be clearly defined. “If I go to an MSP with a challenge, I like to go with a solution,” she explained. “If you speak to me about issues that are going on specifically in your business or even in the wider sector, help me find solutions because that’s what’s going to be important.”
The subject of innovation in the wholesale trade was addressed by two leading industry executives: Jim Cummiskey, CEO of Fáilte Group, and David Cooke, COO of Unitas.
Cummiskey spoke about the difficulties in taking on new products in delivered foodservice. “We’ve constantly got suppliers that want to bring in new
products but the problem is that they have to fit customers’ needs which are evolving all the time,” he explained.
“If you bring NPD into foodservice, the first sale is easy. The ongoing sales are more difficult. We’re constantly looking for the golden nugget of new products – one that can last.
“A lot of suppliers have to see that you need a core range for foodservice. Trying to get the customer to take a new product isn’t as easy as people think. And then when we do take a new product, if it doesn’t last, there may be 2% of customers who still want that product, but minimum order quantities make it difficult to keep offering it.”
Throughout his career, Cooke has found that suppliers of NPD often need guidance. “Entrepreneurs are full of passion but who’s their customer? What’s the forecast? What are the data points?
“The reason a lot of new products fail is not because they’re ropey products, it’s because they’ve been launched badly by over-forecasting, leading to massive over-stocking, and we’ve got to reduce to clear,” he explained.
The first 12 weeks of a product launch are the most critical, added Cooke, and Unitas is developing a programme that will give it a larger share of the first 12 weeks of sales.
A customer’s view: ‘Think outside the box!’
The Scotsman Group has 49 hospitality venues across Scotland, including Oran Mor in Glasgow, where the SWA conference was held.
Director of sales Graham Urquhart (pictured) said that the biggest challenge the company faces on a daily basis is that walk-in business is no longer there.
“Consumers nowadays are looking for an experience and still have money to spend but they want to know they are getting good quality and they want to be looked after. Here at Oran Mor, we have repurposed some of the bar downstairs to make a private dining room. We do ‘pie and a pint’ at lunchtime, we do gigs, we do lots of events.
“Another challenge we face is last-minute bookings – for example, yesterday I picked up seven different groups of 50 covers for dinner within 24 hours. You have to adapt to what’s going on around you.”
CCM
“This is of incredible help to the supplier because they can actually coursecorrect – they can allocate resources, they can allocate stock, time, labour –they are given every single chance of success. Once again it’s about tackling data but what I would say is that data isn’t the project – the project is always growth and data is the enabler.”
He added: “We are having one of our busiest Mays on record. Tourism is really strong – people are coming to Scotland as opposed to perhaps going abroad. There is also wedding business, and this has got to be the busiest year for conference business in Glasgow.”
The Scotsman Group predicts that during the World Cup it will not be just the Scotland games that are going to be busy, and it has made one of its venues – Arta in the centre of Glasgow – a Brazil fan zone.
“You can think outside the box!” Urquhart maintained.
Jim Cummiskey: ‘We’re constantly looking for the golden nugget of NPD.’
David Cooke: ‘A lot of new products fail because they’ve been launched badly.’
Trends shaping performance
At the SWA conference, delegates heard that consumer behaviour is becoming more varied than ever and that it is crucial to monitor and meet customers’ changing needs.
Growth drivers in hospitality and convenience retail offer opportunities for wholesalers, pointed out TWC director Tanya Pepin at the recent SWA conference.
“People are eating out more and more often but convenience retail is losing customers and they are putting less in their basket,” she noted.
The strongest growth in hospitality is coming from coffee shops and fast food. “These quick, high frequency types of occasions tend to cost less than formal dining but also fit with modern life,” she explained.
Independents account for 45% of hospitality outlets in GB but hugely over-index in Scotland at 63%, and independents are driving growth.
“Wholesalers that serve smaller independent outlets like coffee shops and cafes should currently be benefitting from their strong growth,” she said. In convenience retail, growth drivers are high abv drinks & energy drinks, viral/novelty/kids products, and health & wellness.
Within hospitality, channel growth is being sustained by older customers (55+) while within retail, independents and symbols remain heavily reliant on a younger, male, lower-affluence shopper and these groups are suffering with the largest share loss.
Pepin noted that, whether talking about hospitality or retail, at a simplistic
level consumers can be divided into three distinct types: comfort, discovery, and resilience.
“The resilient consumer is probably the one we most relate to as a traditional symbols and independents customer – cash-strapped, shopping on value and price-sensitive,” she said.
“From an outlet perspective, the important thing is that retailers and foodservice operators consider their location and the demographics of the customers they serve and ensure their offer meets the needs of those customers – one size does not fit all.”
Pepin also highlighted the penetration of delivery within convenience retail and foodservice.
“For many consumers, a delivery app is always within reach on their phone
and can be the ‘go to’ for food orders. For many, their first thought is no longer ‘I will go to the corner shop’; instead they think about what they want to consume and then use the app to get it.”
She continued: “A consumer no longer shops in channels as much –everything is blurred, whether that is food to go or meal deals from convenience or having much more ready access to take aways or delivered groceries. And each time a consumer uses an app, data is being collected which enables personalised curated offers. This means more frequent visits.
“The future of wholesale is how it embraces these opportunities. Our data shows that Scotland is extremely well placed with a more affluent population, less debt-ridden young people and an over-index on independents which is outperforming chains. Convenience categories are also more resilient currently than in the rest of GB.
“But for wholesale, it continues to be about supporting operators to pivot to capture share of spend in an increasingly digital world where choice is even greater.”
Pepin added: “Many of the categories we traditionally relied on are in long-term decline – booze and tobacco are important but wholesalers need to be building capacity around them so that their customers are serving broader consumer needs.”
Party With Purpose at
Barcode 2026
Live music, dynamic networking and vital fundraising, all proudly supporting our grocery workers.
There’s one date the grocery industry needs firmly in the diary this summer – and it’s set to be bigger, louder and more impactful than ever.
Barcode Festival is back on 2 July 2026 at London’s iconic Kenwood House, bringing together more than 6,000 professionals from across grocery, FMCG and the wider supply chain for an unmissable day of live music, networking, great food and drink and good fun. With tickets now on sale, be sure to secure your place early.
This year’s headline acts alone make Barcode a standout. Scissor Sisters top the bill, fresh from their huge reunion tour and Glastonbury triumph, promising a high-energy set packed with signature glamour and feel-good hits
on the Bulldog Main Stage sponsored by Edgewell. They’re joined by electronic pioneers Faithless, delivering an uplifting performance led by Sister Bliss, alongside indie favourites Wet Leg, whose bold, irreverent sound has made them one of the UK’s most talked-about bands.
And that’s just the start.
Expect a full day of entertainment, including the crowd-pleasing MASSAOKE®, the world’s biggest sing-along party, plus an eclectic second stage featuring the grocery industry’s own DJ Naeem, The Beatles Dub Club, Drag Race UK’s Ella Vaday and a closing Ibiza-inspired
set from Cameron Jack. In short: this is not your typical industry event.
Barcode is much more than just a brilliant day out. What truly sets Barcode apart is its purpose: proudly supporting grocery workers through raising vital funds for GroceryAid, the industry charity providing financial, emotional and practical support to colleagues across the sector.
Every ticket purchased helps fund its essential work, with money raised going directly back into supporting our colleagues when they need it the most.
In 2025 alone, Barcode raised over £1.4 million –a powerful demonstration of what the industry can achieve together. Every ticket purchased contributes to that impact, ensuring even more grocery workers can access the help they’ve earned.
Beyond the stage, Barcode delivers commercial and relationship value. With attendees spanning 18 major UK retailers and hundreds of leading brands, it’s a rare opportunity to connect with key decision-makers in a relaxed, high-energy environment.
Whether you’re looking to reward your team or strengthen industry relationships, the festival offers a unique environment to do it all in one place: a ready-made celebration combining recognition, networking and entertainment in one experience.
Most importantly, it’s a chance for the industry to come together and give back.
Secure your tickets now at barcodefestival.co.uk and be part of the grocery industry’s most important – and most entertaining – event of the year.
Mindy Mondair, head of marketing, Bestway
Curious and optimistic
What have been your biggest achievements?
Earlier in my career, I led a global launch at Selfridges on Oxford Street, securing exclusive window displays and international media attendance around a celebrity-designed collection. It taught me the power of creating cultural and commercial moments that capture attention on a global scale.
More recently, leading Bestway’s 50th anniversary celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall has been my proudest achievement. Beyond the scale of the event, it was an opportunity to honour a legacy that resonates deeply with my own family’s journey to the UK.
Outside of work, one of my proudest achievements was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I wasn’t an experienced climber – I simply set myself the challenge and was determined!
Who has been the biggest inspiration to you?
My father. Like many immigrants who came to the UK in search of a better future, he faced significant challenges and made considerable sacrifices to create opportunities for his family.
Growing up, I witnessed the resilience, determination and entrepreneurial spirit that defined his journey. He taught me to aim high, embrace challenges and never place limits on what I could achieve. He taught me that whatever life throws at you, you find a way through.
What were your ambitions when you were growing up?
I was convinced I would end up working in finance or become an accountant. Looking back, that’s quite surprising given that I’ve built my career in marketing, but I think the common thread has always been a fascination with business.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
Making the decision to leave home and pursue my university education. It meant stepping away from the path that others had envisaged for me.
What are your interests outside work?
I love baking, hosting dinner parties and taking on DIY projects. I’m slightly obsessed with learning new skills. Over the years, I’ve taught myself everything from laying a patio to plastering walls.
How would you describe your personality?
I’m a Capricorn, and if you believe in star signs, I’m probably quite a typical one, always looking for the next mountain to climb and challenge to take on.
The people closest to me would describe me as warm, energetic and down to earth. I’m fiercely loyal to the people I care about and genuinely enjoy building relationships. I’m naturally curious and optimistic.
In business, I take a very people-first but commercially-focused approach.
What is your favourite book and song?
One book that has stayed with me over the years is Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. It explores resilience, adversity and strength of character. For me, music is less about having a favourite song and more about how it makes me feel in a particular moment –my taste is incredibly varied.
If you won a holiday, where would you go and who would you take with you? I’d be torn between two very different destinations: India, where my family and roots are, and the Amazon rainforest. I’ve always been fascinated by nature, wildlife and exploring places that feel untouched. I would take my nephews. They’ve always been a huge part of my life and are genuinely some of my favourite people to spend time with. CCM
Business graduate
A graduate of De Montfort University, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Business Studies, Mindy Mondair has built a career in marketing spanning almost three decades. She has held senior marketing and communications roles with leading consumer brand businesses, including Triumph International, Whittard of Chelsea, and Vispring. Mondair joined Bestway in 2018 in her current position as head of marketing for Bestway Wholesale and Retail.
Growth of grab and go
As food to go outperforms the wider eating out market, wholesalers can support their customers to capitalise on consumers being out and about this summer.
The UK food-to-go market is forecast to reach £24.9 billion this year, rising by 3.4% year on year and continuing to outperform the wider eating out sector. Growth is being driven by a higher spend per visit, premium add-ons and tighter value engineering (Lumina).
Jack Link’s has added excitement to the chilled food-togo fixture with a limited-edition Peperami x Doritos BBQ Sweet Tang range. It is available in three formats, including Peperami BBQ Sweet Tang Singles (28g, rsp £1.25) which are ideal for meal deals and immediate consumption.
The move is designed to inject new energy into the meat snacks category, which has doubled in value over the past five years to more than £335 million, reports the company.
‘Food to go has evolved rapidly, with protein-led snacking now a key driver of growth within chilled’ Shaun Whelan, head of convenience, Jack Link’s
Demand for protein snacks continues to surge, with one in five UK households now seeking out protein-rich options and more shoppers buying meat snacks more often.
The Peperami brand has risen by more than 7% in the past year, sells over £145 million annually, and reaches one in five households, with headroom for further expansion, particularly among young adults.
The limited-edition flavour is expected to attract young adult shoppers into the brand while strengthening Peperami’s relevance across a wide range of snacking occasions, particularly within food to go.
Shaun Whelan, head of convenience, says: “Food to go has evolved rapidly, with protein-led snacking now a key driver of growth within chilled. By combining Peperami’s protein credentials with Doritos’ fastest growing flavour, we are bringing something new and exciting into the fixture that still taps into what shoppers already know and love.
“For cash & carries, wholesalers and retailers, this kind of partnership is a clear opportunity to drive incremental sales. It brings together strong brand recognition with a flavour profile that’s already proven with shoppers, helping to attract new audiences into the category while driving rate of sale.”
The launch is being supported by a media campaign across social, digital, connected TV, influencer strategy and shopper marketing throughout 2026.
Pukka has relaunched its chilled handheld range with new packaging designed to drive stronger stand-out in store, with bold colour cues to clearly differentiate flavours.
A more considered range includes All Steak Slice and Chicken & Mushroom Slice, which take inspiration from Pukka’s two bestselling pie recipes; Pepperoni Pizza Slice, which helps to attract younger shoppers; and Jerk Chicken Slice, which broadens appeal and brings something new into the category to drive growth.
Joining these existing lines is a new limited-edition Cheese & Pickle Slice, inspired by the classic British flavour pairing.
Isaac Fisher, CEO at Pukka, says: “Our new packaging brings a distinctive and consistent look across our popular handheld range that’s eye-catching and unmistakably Pukka.”
Pukka Slices are growing in value by 6.4% and volume by 11.2% year-on-year (NIQ). Building on this momentum, Pukka’s relaunched handheld range will be supported by a continued pipeline of seasonal innovation, designed to maintain shelf interest and drive incremental sales.
Out-of-home pizza is valued at £3.1 billion (Lumina) but despite this performance, 40% of consumers are calling for greater variety in hot options when out and about (IGC).
Rollover’s new Italian Margherita and Pepperoni Pizza Twists are designed to fulfil this demand by bringing authentic Italian craftsmanship to the category while responding to the trend for new pizza formats beyond traditional slices (The Food People).
Made in Italy using Italian tomatoes, the Rollover Pizza Twists come in green and red packaging that is a nod to the range’s Italian roots.
D Nescafé Co
CE
CE
Co
ee
ee
YOUR COFFEE
Grow YOUR COFFEE
COFFEE RANGE Grow
CATEGORY WITH NESCAFÉ ICED
CATEGORY WITH NESCAFÉ ICED
COFFEE RANGE
AND YOUR CUSTOMERS. Delight DriveSalesAND YOUR CUSTOMERS. Delight DriveSales
[ FOOD & DRINKS TO GO ]
Tony Owen, general manager at Rollover, says: “Shoppers are increasingly seeking grab-and-go meals that fit their busy lives, while craving greater variety without sacrificing taste or quality. Our new Pizza Twists answer the call for fun, reimagined formats that take pizza and hot food to go in exciting new directions.”
Rollover has created PoS kits that include posters, shelf barkers, wobblers, and digital assets to help make the new additions unmissable in-store.
For shoppers looking for a hunger-busting snack, Tayto has launched Golden Wonder Flame Grilled Steak and Paprika flavoured Ridges.
Ridge crisps account for 30% of total crisp sales (Circana) and 75% of consumers recently surveyed had bought ridged or crinkle cut crisps in the past 12 months (One Pulse).
Price-marked packs continue to drive convenience sales, accounting for 81% of snacks, with sharing PMPs (£1+) making up over half of the category (Circana).
Golden Wonder’s own sharing PMPs are growing at 24.2% versus 0.4% overall (Circana), and the new Ridges come in a £1 PMP sharing bag.
Tayto has also announced the launch of Golden Wonder Goalden Balls.
Designed to drive impulse and sharing sales during key sporting moments and beyond, the snack is seasoned with a Smoky Bacon flavour.
The new product taps into the growing demand for sharing formats and big flavour snacks, and has an rsp of £1.25.
Elsewhere, Calbee has announced the launch of a new campaign, ‘Bags of Northern Soul’, for Seabrook – the UK’s No.1 crinkle cut crisp brand (Kantar) headquartered in Bradford.
The initiative is designed to take Seabrook beyond product-led advertising and into a broader brand space, and is aimed at accelerating its growth, both within and beyond its northern heartland.
At the heart of the idea is the belief that Northern Soul is about more than where you’re from – it’s about how you show up. The platform is being built to stretch across regions, channels and future campaigns.
The launch campaign is running across TV, paid social, radio, out-of-home, and in-store activation.
Key stats: UK food-to-go market 2026
• £24.9 billion forecast market value in 2026
• Outperforming the wider eating out market (+2.4%)
• £12.98 average spend per visit, up 8.5% year on year
• 33.3% of total market turnover controlled by the top 10 brands
• Food to go set to increase its share of the total eating out market beyond pre-pandemic levels
• Net outlet growth slowing to +0.9% as operators prioritise efficiency over aggressive rollout
Source: Lumina Intelligence
According to St Pierre Groupe, food to go and snacking continue to perform strongly in the convenience channel, driven by high-frequency missions and shoppers seeking affordable, quality treats alongside drinks purchases.
Individually-wrapped morning goods from trusted brands like St Pierre – including Croissants and Chocolate Filled Croissants – are particularly well suited to this mission, says Louise Reynard, customer development director.
“By stocking familiar, premium yet accessible options, wholesalers can help retailers meet shopper expectations for products that pair seamlessly with a coffee or cold drink, whether for the morning run, lunchtime or an afternoon pickme-up,” she points out.
The return to the workplace has given food-to-go sales in convenience a boost, particularly around the morning commute and lunchtime missions, adds Reynard.
“As more shoppers split their time between the office and working from home, this has created an opportunity for wholesalers to help retailers respond to evolving purchasing patterns, with local convenience stores becoming an increasingly important stop for coffee and breakfast or snack purchases on office days.”
According to Natural Foods, which produces Trek and nakd bars, cereal bars work just as well for a quick breakfast, a mid-morning pick-me-up, or a grab-and-go snack. Singles formats are growing by 8.2% (NIQ).
“Within cereal bars, protein is now firmly embedded in consumers’ daily lives, providing fuel for busy and active lifestyles,” points out marketing manager Alice Boardman. “What’s driving growth is no longer niche or sports-led products, but everyday protein bars that feel accessible, enjoyable and relevant to real-life routines.”
Flavour-led innovation has been a key growth driver –since its launch last year, Trek Biscoff Protein Flapjack single bar has delivered £1.9 million in sales overall, with £1.1 million coming from the convenience channel, underlining its strength in impulse-led missions (NIQ).
For nakd, a new addition to the range is Protein Cherry, launched in response to cherry being a flavour trend. “What works so well in wholesale is that nakd Protein doesn’t look or feel like a traditional protein bar, making it an easy graband-go choice for shoppers who want to boost protein without changing their snacking habits,” says Boardman.
To build brand awareness, Natural Foods is backing Trek with an out-of-home campaign in June and October, while nakd is benefiting from digital activity in June and September.
Mars Wrigley has expanded its Twix range with the launch of Twix Hazelnut, a new variant designed to drive brand penetration and recruit the next generation of confectionery shoppers.
The NPD is being backed by a consumer activation that is launching in early July under the brand’s ‘Two is More Than One’ platform.
Laura O’Neill, senior brand manager, says: “Recruiting the next generation of shoppers while keeping our existing fans engaged is our number one priority, and our track record proves that flavour innovation is one of the most powerful levers we have to unlock incremental growth.”
Also new from Mars Wrigley is Skittles Flavour Flip. The range features pouch (136g) and treat (109g) bags, which contain Skittles with two-in-one flavours and colour combinations in every bite.
To back the launch, Skittles has a summer campaign, ‘Flip Your Tastebuds Inside Out’, with omni-channel touchpoints.
Tapping into a summer of football, Mondelez International is running a ‘Win For Your Squad’ promotion on Cadbury confectionery and bakery ranges until 20 July.
Shoppers can win money-can’t-buy experiences with football stars Ian Wright, Virgil van Dijk, Lauren James and Declan Rice. Other prizes include matchday tickets for 2026/27 and lifestyle vouchers.
Alongside the consumer promotion, retailers have the opportunity to win up to £750 worth of Amazon vouchers for their staff plus Cadbury stock worth £200
at full rsp. To enter, retailers fill out the form on SnackDisplay.co.uk, explaining why they want to win a prize for their team. The retailer promotion is running until 31 July.
Over at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) football is also the focus with Powerade’s FIFA World Cup 26 campaign, ‘Power Your Fate’.
Powerade is the official sports drink of the FIFA World Cup 26. New creative spots and social content feature both everyday and elite athletes, including global football stars Lamine Yamal and Rodrygo Goes.
The global campaign spans social, digital, outdoor, TV,
Tropical limited edition to Boost sales
Boost has added a limited-edition Tropical Punch flavour to its Sport range. It comes in a £1 price-marked 500ml bottle, 12 to a case.
Sports drinks account for nearly 10% of the energy category, with the top two sports drink brands accounting for 80% of all sports drinks sales (Circana). Boost is the No.2 sports drink brand, growing at over 14% (Circana).
Lisa McKenna, Boost brand director at AG Barr, said: “Our Boost Sport limitededition flavours have been proven to drive excitement, delivering a 10% uplift in sales over the past three years (Circana).”
Tropical Punch is being supported with digital activation, sampling and bespoke toolkits for retailers.
Boost is currently investing in a multimillion-pound campaign across the UK and Ireland, positioning the brand as a ‘nobrainer’ in the drinks category while championing its ‘straight up’ functionality and sales power.
Running until July, the campaign features out-of-home advertising, digital and social media, plus on-the-street sampling to over 500,000 consumers. It builds on Boost’s multi-year sponsorship with the rugby Super League.
and online video, as well as in-stadium branding, limitedtime product innovations, and immersive fan activations.
Rob Yeomans, vice-president, commercial development at CCEP GB, says: “Major sporting moments like the FIFA World Cup 26 create a strong sales opportunity for retailers, and Powerade’s ‘Power Your Fate’ campaign is designed to help them maximise it. We’d encourage retailers to get behind it with impactful displays to drive incremental sales across key matchday and on-the-go occasions.”
CCEP has also brought NPD to the market. Monster Ultra Vice Guava is the latest addition to the company’s zero sugar Monster Ultra range.
Rolling out nationwide from late July, Monster Ultra Vice Guava will be available in plain and price-marked 500ml single cans at an rsp of £1.75.
Yeomans says: “Energy drinks continue to go from strength to strength. We’re confident that Monster Ultra Vice Guava will build on this momentum. Guava is a flavour consumers are increasingly seeking out, and it’s already proven to be a hit in the US (Nielsen).”
Other recent NPD from CCEP is a limitededition Fanta Dark Cherry variant, which comes in 300ml single cans and eight-can multipacks.
This new variant forms part of the latest instalment of Coca-Cola’s ‘Wanta Fanta’ campaign, which includes limitededition packs across the rest of the range and an on-pack gaming promotion in partnership with Xbox. CCM
Keep up with category changes
Tobacco and next-generation products continue to offer wholesalers and retailers valuable sales, with NPD from suppliers focusing on flavour, price and convenience.
It is important that wholesalers keep up to date with developments in the tobacco and next-generation product categories in order to guide and educate their retail customers. Suppliers not only offer a range of support that wholesalers can access, they also have a stream of NPD to tap into the latest consumer demands.
Vaping and smoke-free
Imperial Brands has introduced blu MAX 6000, a new vape kit designed to offer customers great flavour at exceptional value.
The product is available in a 2ml-plus-10ml capacity clickon box format. Within the range there are three kits (rsp £10.99) in Blueberry Sour Razz, Pineapple, and Strawberry Ice flavours, and five pod + refill packs (rsp £7.99) in Lemon Lime, Blueberry Ice, Pineapple, Strawberry Ice, and Blueberry Sour Razz flavours.
blu MAX 6000 uses dual mesh coil technology to ‘deliver an intense and consistent experience’ for users, while the dual power mode function allows flavour intensity to be increased or decreased at the touch of a button.
Each device comes with a rechargeable battery and USB-C charging port. In addition, a translucent container allows for easy liquid level detection. The integrated LED screen shows battery level, power mode and child lock activation.
Shirley Soccio, head of consumer marketing for UK & Ireland, says: “Vape consumers across the UK are increasingly seeking products that combine ultimate convenience without sacrificing flavour.
“We’re confident that blu MAX 6000 will be a compelling addition for retailers, offering a strong and lucrative opportunity to meet surging demand for premium, flavour-led and convenient vaping solutions.”
Imperial Brands has also recently added a new Sour Berry flavour to its blu vape offering. It is available as a blu bar kit and a blu pod pack.
With an rsp of £5.99, the newest addition brings the total number of flavour options to 17 and follows the introduction of a Creamy Tobacco variant earlier this year.
With fruit-flavours preferred by 83% of vape users, customers are seeking less synthetic flavours in this category, reports Imperial. The new Sour Berry flavour uses an AuthentiTaste formulation, which are liquids crafted with flavourings that mirror real fruit profiles and sensorial cues like sourness.
Tobacco and Vapes Act to be phased in
Imperial Brands has highlighted the implications that the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 holds for the UK trade.
The Act, which became law on 29 April 2026, gives the Government the power to apply tobacco-style regulation on a broader range of products, including vaping products, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and cigarette papers.
However, Imperial Brands emphasises that most measures will not come into force straight away. Instead, the introduction of new restrictions and prohibitions will be phased, with many areas subject to further public consultation before being implemented.
Some elements of the Act do have confirmed implementation dates. The headline measure is the introduction of a generational smoking ban, which will take effect from 1 January 2027, making it illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Many of the most significant changes, including potential restrictions on flavour descriptors, retail display, and the introduction of a retail licensing scheme, are expected to follow later next year, once consultation has taken place and detailed regulations have been introduced.
Imperial Brands also expects the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to publish further guidance alongside a detailed implementation roadmap and timetable for secondary legislation. These will be critical in helping the trade understand how and when specific measures will take effect.
Stephen Rooney, senior government affairs manager at Imperial Brands, says: “The Tobacco and Vapes Act is a comprehensive and important piece of legislation, but it is essential that retailers understand that its impact will be phased.
“While some measures have fixed implementation dates, many of the key changes – particularly those affecting vaping and nicotine products – will be introduced later and following consultation.
“It is important that retailers take the opportunity to engage with these consultations as they come forward. Their input will be vital in ensuring that the practical realities of running a retail business are properly understood as the detailed rules are developed.
“We expect further clarity from the Government in the form of guidance and an implementation roadmap, which will allow us to support our retail partners with clear, practical advice on what they need to do and when.”
Further information on the content of the Act can be found at https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3879
Philip Morris Ltd (PML) has introduced LEVIA, a range of zero tobacco flavoured nicotine sticks created for the IQOS ILUMA range.
The range has been developed to meet the needs of flavour-seeking adult users, and the nicotine sticks feature a flavour-to-flavour capsule format, providing enhanced flavour during use.
The initial line-up comprises four variants: Deep Mint, Strawberry with Watermelon Pearl, Citrus with Peppermint Pearl, and Blueberry with Strawberry Pearl. Each variant has an rsp of £5.
Anthony Loinsard, head of IQOS at PML, says: “With its innovative capsule technology and accessible price point, LEVIA has the potential to play a key role in accelerating the shift away from cigarettes.”
Nicotine pouches
Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK (STG) has added a new mint range to its XQS nicotine pouch portfolio. There are four new lines – The Spearmint, The Peppermint and The Menthol (in two strengths) – each with an rsp of £5.50.
To support the new mint range, STG UK is offering both consumers and retailers the chance to ‘Get Minted’. By
Technology to combat underage access
BAT is partnering with the Channel Islands Co-operative Society in Jersey to pilot facial age-estimation technology.
A customer simply scans a QR code with their mobile or an in-store device and takes a quick selfie. Their age is instantly estimated, and the image is permanently deleted. No personal data is stored. If the customer is verified as an adult, they can proceed with the purchase. If not, they are asked for ID.
“This technology provides an immediate, unbiased and discreet line of defence,” says Susanna De Iesu, commercial director for UK & Ireland at BAT. “It also gives retail staff proper support, not just the responsibility of policing the law, while delivering a smoother point of sale experience for the customer.
“And we know it works. It has a 99% accuracy rate, and during UK Home Office sandbox trials at supermarket self-checkouts, there were no reported underage sales when it was used.
“We believe it could play a key role for British retailers and are looking to partner with UK stores this year.”
Government crackdown on illicit trade
Imperial Brands has welcomed the UK Government’s new £30 million High Street organised crime unit, designed to tackle illicit trade.
The move follows growing concern about the scale of criminal activity operating through some high street outlets, with illegal products undercutting legitimate businesses and distorting fair competition amongst retailers.
Under the plans, offending premises will face increased enforcement action, including raids, closures and asset seizures, with additional funding provided to Trading Standards teams.
Imperial Brands believes this step will help level the playing field for responsible retailers who operate within the law and serve their local communities.
James Hall, anti-illicit trade manager at Imperial Brands, says: “Honest retailers are being undermined every day by illegal operators selling illicit and unregulated products.
“Stronger enforcement is essential to protect those doing the right thing and to restore a fair playing field across the high street.
“We welcome this action and will continue working with retailers and authorities to help tackle illicit trade.”
purchasing any product from the XQS Mint range, consumers will unlock the chance to win cash prizes and rewards.
Retailers will also have the chance to win, as their visiting STG sales rep will ask them three questions on the new portfolio which, if answered correctly, will earn them a scratchcard and the chance to win cash or other prizes.
Prianka Jhingan, STG’s UK’s head of marketing, says: “It’s mint flavours which are really driving the pouch category at the moment, currently accounting for 78% of total sales (SoS, IRI). We’re confident this new range will be a very welcome addition, as it offers superior taste, clear navigation and affordability.”
Cigarillos
Benson & Hedges Leaf Wrapped, a new cigarillo, has been launched by JTI. The product is available in England and Wales only.
With an rsp of £6.95 for a 10-pack, it is designed to sit at a lower pack price than all conventional cigarettes and rolling tobacco and is JTI’s cheapest conventional tobacco offering.
B&H Leaf Wrapped aims to provide an option for adult smokers who are increasingly seeking lower-priced alternatives. The launch is being backed by promotional campaigns, trade PoS, and wholesale promotions and activations. CCM
CCM Chefs’ Own-Brand Awards 2026/7
Now in its ninth year, the prestigious CCM Chefs’ Own-Brand Awards is run by Cash & Carry Management magazine, in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs.
We know the care and passion that goes into creating a successful own-brand. It doesn’t just happen by magic: development chefs and supply partners work hard to bring exceptional products of excellent quality and great value to market – products that are driven by customer need and provide innovation in many categories.
ese awards give cash & carries and delivered wholesalers whose own-brand products hit the mark the recognition they deserve, with endorsement from the Craft Guild of Chefs – the leading chefs’ association in the UK – who conduct the judging in blind tastings.
New for 2026/7 is an Own-Brand Innovator of the Year award, which will go to an individual who has created an ownbrand innovation over the past year that stands out in the wholesale market place. is person could be a development chef, a marketer, ownbrand category manager or indeed anyone else working on own brand. Entrants will discuss their initiative with the expert judging panel. Only one entry per wholesale business.
Entries are open for products in all categories at a cost of £150 plus VAT per product, with one free for every 10 products entered.
e closing date for entries is Friday 17 July 2026. e products must be delivered on the date and to the delivery address that will be con rmed on receipt of your entry. Judging will take place in August and the winners will be announced at a prestigious awards lunch on ursday 7 January 2027.
For further information, contact Martin Lovell on 01342 712100.
