Bestway vans division boosts customer numbers to 21000

Bestway has increased the number of customers it serves through its Vans Direct division from 20,000 to 21,000 in the past year.

Bestway Vans Direct comprises two business units: Bestway Snacks, which operates for key suppliers in the crisps, snacks and biscuits categories, and Bestway Sweets, which has a similar function in the confectionery category.

Through strong in-store relationships, team expertise in merchandising, category advice, and iPad technology, Bestway Vans Direct brings to life supplier plans in independent retailers and places more than 25,000 pieces of point-of-sale equipment each year.

The current turnover of Bestway Vans Direct is £80 million, and wholesaler is expecting to exceed this figure in the coming year. Bestway Snacks accounts for 51% of turnover, Bestway Sweets the remainder.

According to director Dan Lewis, the division’s ethos is to help its customers sell more, make more and save more. He said: “Our ethos is working. We are selling more, and helping our retailers make more through offering them an agile service to keep the right products on shelves and turn orders around quickly.

“The business is in great shape and I’m really proud of what the team has achieved across the last five years during what has to be the toughest trading conditions the market has seen in decades.”

The Bestway Snacks and Bestway Snacks vans take stock from 34 Bestway and Batleys depots every week day before hitting the road, and each customer sales representative visits around 18 customers each day to take an order and stock up the shops instantly from the van.

The more retailers buy, the higher the discount they receive. 

Lewis added: “With Bestway Vans Direct, there is stock immediately available and placed in store, there is no minimum order quantity or charge for delivery, and the internally owned iPad technology can transfer orders so that stock can be allocated, or customers shopping from a sweet van can benefit from a snacks van. 

“It’s a win-win service that is leading the market in terms of just-in-time deliveries and keeping products on shelves.”