Bestway celebrates 40 years in cash & carry/wholesale

Bestway Wholesale this year celebrates 40 years in the C&C/wholesale business, having opened its first cash & carry depot in Acton, north-west London, in 1976. It currently operates from 63 branches under the Bestway, Batleys and BestPets names.

To mark the anniversary, all Bestway and Batleys depots are this month staging a promotion for the Best-in range, with retailers being given the chance of winning a family car when they buy own-brand juices.

Next month, the company launches its first-ever reward card for customers.

Bestway Wholesale managing director Younus Sheikh said: “The wholesale business has changed dramatically over the years. In the beginning it was all about piling high and selling cheap to independent retailers and cafés. Now it is more about shifting perceptions than shifting boxes.

“Although cash & carry is still a major part of our business, delivered wholesale now plays a major role, with sales of over £650 million a year for us.”

The group will this year again focus on its three core pillars: catering, symbol & club and web & digital.

Although the number of Best-one and Xtra Local outlets has been reduced, sales through the 4,050 affiliated stores have continued to increase, said Sheikh.

The focus on chilled and fresh will continue in 2016, as will Best-one’s My Rewards rebate scheme, which offers members up to 5% cashback on purchases.

The C&C/wholesale chain serve over 200,000 customers, ranging from local authorities to small traders and kiosks.

Tel: Bestway Wholesale 020-8453 1234