Banking on Booker
I was pleased to see wholesaler Booker, Britain’s biggest cash and carry, show a 25% growth in year profits. Wilson still noted, however, that despite patches of growth, the market demand remained extremely volatile and the most patchy he has ever seen it, particularly outside London.
He does not expect the overall wholesale market to improve much in the next couple of years but still forecasts that the firm would continue to prosper. “There’s a real search for value taking place, and as a result caterers and retailers are being more canny in terms of the way they buy,” he says.
I also believe that Booker’s Euro Shopper range, which allows independent shops to compete with the hard discounters such as Aldi and Lidl puts them in a strong position and early reactions to its first Indian branch shows great promise with the second branch opening soon. So, despite wider retail gloom, wholesale is staying strong.
Are you using Booker or other wholesalers? Do you feel they give you better value? Feel free to comment on the website, , send me an email or join the discussion on our LinkedIn group.
All the best,
Katrine Kjoeller,
Editor
Sweets & Snacks Europe
