NBC trade show highlighted interest from wholesalers and suppliers
NBC’s recent trade show, held at the Whittlebury Hall Conference Centre, attracted a record number of members and suppliers.
“Since the group started in 2019, the trade shows have grown in size and popularity,” said director Gary Lunt. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for NBC members and our supplier partners to network and discuss both business opportunities and issues in the current market conditions.”
David Lunt: ‘Success is generated through collaboration.’
The event was opened with a brief overview from the the group’s managing director David Lunt, who said: “Success is generated through collaboration – between the group, its members, and our supplier partners. Without this we would not have been able to help everyone achieve what it is they are trying to do, and quite simply it is getting brands in front of consumers wherever they wish to buy or consume them.”
NBC continues to attract interest from potential new members. Clare Spindler, NBC business development manager commented: “We are actively responding to new member applications every week and unsurprisingly these are usually referrals from our supplier partners. Not all applications are successful as we must ensure that our membership model works for all parties. The introduction of our Associate Membership Scheme ensures that by working collaboratively and achieving results that membership can become an investment, not an annual management fee.”
According to NBC, the benefits of becoming a member include access to major brands, great terms and net pricing, access to NDN, a free NBC toolkit, and a shareholding.
NBC also continues to attract interest from potential new suppliers. NBC consortium trading manager Elenie Abbott said: “We are actively working with new suppliers and new product launches every week, ensuring that our members have access to great innovation and offering a route to market for suppliers. The combination of our members and NDN, our warehousing and logistics facility, ensures we can be a great added-value route-to-market solution.”
The group currently has more than 65 members who represent in excess of £800 million in combined turnover and service retail, foodservice, hospitality, e-commerce and export channels – a total of over 45,000 outlets.
NBC chairman David Longfellow said: “NBC may not be the biggest buying group but we are unique, and we consider ourselves the alternative buying group for like-minded businesses.”
Following the trade show, the group hosted a member and supplier dinner at which the following suppliers were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the group:
• Mars Wrigley – Alex Cuthbert
• KP Snacks – Sally Yates
• Nutricia – Ben Witham
• Swizzels – George Edney
• Huel – Sophie Mahaffey
Commenting on the awards, NBC vice chairman James Granville said: “These individuals and the companies that they represent have gone just that little further with their help and cooperation in 2024, and that often makes such a difference for our members. We are proud to be working with them and we hope it can create a framework for everyone to work towards.”
Published Date: April 15, 2025
