The Wholesale Group launches CORE Spring Water in Tetra Paks

The Wholesale Group has expanded its CORE own-brand portfolio with CORE Spring Water in Tetra Pak cartons.

Sourced from springs in Ireland, CORE Spring Water is available in 330ml and 500ml cartons, 24 to a case.

The Tetra Pak cartons are recyclable and 88% plant based, offering operators an alternative to conventional plastic bottles of water.

The cartons also feature a plant-based cap and neck made using polymer derived from sugar cane and a tied cap to help keep components together during use and recycling. Compared with an average 500ml PET bottle, they contain less than 12% fossil-based plastic and, according to supporting product data, deliver a 74% reduction in CO₂ footprint.

CORE Spring Water is the first product in The Wholesale Group’s own-brand portfolio to carry the B Corp logo following the group’s recent achievement of B Corp Certification.

Cartons will be exempt from the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme. This means there is no deposit to pay and no requirement for consumers to return the packaging to a designated collection point, allowing it to be recycled through normal recycling channels.

Tom Gittins, managing director – retail at The Wholesale Group, said: “CORE Spring Water has been developed directly in response to member feedback and growing demand for a more sustainable alternative to conventional plastic bottled water.

“As our first own-brand water launch, it represents an important milestone for the CORE range and demonstrates our commitment to delivering commercially relevant products that help our members respond to changing customer needs.

“Advance sales have been extremely strong, giving us confidence that there is genuine demand for this type of solution, and we look forward to seeing the range continue to grow.”

Gittins added: “For independent wholesalers, innovation has to be useful. CORE Spring Water is not about adding another water SKU for the sake of it – it gives members a relevant product with a strong sustainability story, a clear operational benefit and a format that is well aligned with the direction of travel in drinks packaging.”