NBC to strengthen head office team in response to strong performance

National Buying Consortium (NBC) has announced that sales through its National Distribution Network (NDN) are up 36% in the year to date.

David Lunt: ‘Now we are seeing a return to growth we can be confident to invest in the future.’

Through NDN, the group’s members can gain access to lower minimum orders than direct from suppliers, at net pricing, with additional discounts and rebates also available on specific products.

Speaking to members and suppliers at a recent networking event held at The Belfry, NBC managing director David Lunt said: “The performance of NDN is encouraging as our members have had significant challenges since 2020 and are now seeing a return to better trading. This is providing confidence to plan and ensure that we invest in our capabilities to support both members and suppliers.”

Lunt also announced that key category sales (soft drinks, snacks and confectionery) through NBC are up by at least 50% year on year.

In response, the group is planning to improve the resource at its head office in Chipping Norton to further develop the commercial relationships between the group, members and suppliers.

It is also introducing a further benefit of membership of NBC – a web-to-print brochure service – that members will be able to access free of charge. This complements the wider marketing services support that is available through the group and its marketing partners, May Marketing.

The networking event at The Belfry attracted a great turnout from members and suppliers, reported Lunt. “We are grateful for the time that the members devoted to the event and the way in which our suppliers’ discussed products, ranging and promotions directly with members,” he said.

“Now we are seeing a return to growth we can be confident to invest in the future and assist members with support that is practical and relevant.”

Freya Sellers, customer business manager at Nestlé, commented: “I’ve been to multiple events and trade shows since September 2021 and I mean it when I say this was the best I’ve attended. The members were all incredibly engaged and I have come away with multiple leads, which I am really pleased about.”