Sales and profits dip for Bestway’s C&C/wholesale business

A “busy and challenging” time for Bestway Group saw pre-tax profit for the C&C/wholesale business in the year to 30 June 2015 dip from £49.2 million to £44.6 million on sales down from £2.37 billion to £2.27 billion.

Group chief executive Zameer Choudrey CBE admitted the 12 months had thrown up “difficult business conditions” – a comment aimed at the mainstream domestic activity but not at the group’s cement manufacturing and banking divisions.

During the year, the Best-one and Xtra Local retail club membership grew to 4,300 stores, with combined turnover of £650 million.

“We are further investing in this area,” said Choudrey, “by committing our crusade on developing a market-leading chilled fresh and retail foodservice offering to help our customers compete, as well as doubling the number of business executives.”

A positive was Bestway Batleys Foodservice signing several new customers, including contract caterer Accuro Catering, Warwickshire Colleges and East Lancashire and Birmingham NHS hospitals. There were also two four-year contracts – unspecified – re-awarded at a value of more than £24 million.

The wholesaler’s mobile app, launched last year, has been downloaded more than 12,000 times.

‘World food hubs’ were introduced in 12 cash & carries serving multi-cultural communities, while Bestway Direct created a multiple account division to supply multi-site forecourts and c-stores.

Tel: Bestway Wholesale 020-8453 1234