|
- What is the role of wholesaling?
- What types of wholesalers are there?
- How much is the grocery wholesale market worth?
- What is the split between cash and carry and delivered wholesale?
- Who are the main operators?
What is the role of wholesaling?
The role of wholesaling is to supply goods to trade and business customers for whom dealing directly with suppliers is not feasible and/or practical. By buying in bulk and selling on by case loads wholesalers enable small traders to purchase as much or as little as their businesses require.
In addition many wholesalers also provide a range of business support services for customers, and most notably, where made available, distribution/delivery services. In specific cases wholesalers specialise in providing delivery as part of their offer, enabling them to fulfil the function of logistics provider to customers as well as supplying product.
What types of wholesalers are there?
Food wholesalers can be categorised into three different types:
 |
|
 |
|
- General Grocery Wholesalers
Supply a wide range of food and grocery categories. Their primary customers are independent retailers and caterers. General grocery wholesalers include:
- Cash & carry depots
- Delivered wholesalers
- Mixed business providing both of the above
- Specialist Wholesalers
These focus on a narrow range of often specialist categories. For example, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry.
- Catering/Foodservice Wholesalers
These tend to deliver a diverse range of businesses including cafes, restaurants, fast food establishments and schools and hospitals. |
|
 |
|
 | |
How much is the grocery wholesale market worth?
IGD estimates that sales through the grocery wholesaling sector in 2008 reached £18.3bn, representing an increase of 2.9% on 2007.
Grocery Wholesaling Market Size and Growth 1998-2008
Source: IGD Research 2009
What is the split between cash and carry and delivered wholesale?
In 2008 53% of the market was the cash & carry (£9.7bn) and 47% was delivered wholesale (£8.6bn).
Cash & Carry and Delivered Wholesale Sector Sizes 1998-2008
Source: IGD Research 2009
Who are the main operators?
The key cash and carry operators are:
|
Operator |
Depot numbers |
|
Booker |
172 |
|
Bestway/Batleys |
51 |
|
Makro |
30 |
|
Costco |
24 |
|
Blakemore |
10 |
|
Parfetts |
6 |
|
Dhamecha |
5 |
|
CJ Lang |
3 |
|
TRS |
2 |
Source: IGD Research 2009
The key delivered wholesale operators are:
- P & H McLane
- Musgrave Retail Partners GB & Northern Ireland
- The SPAR wholesalers: CJ Lang & Son, James Hall & Co, AF Blakemore & Son, Appleby Westward, Capper & Co, John Henderson
|
