A new wholesaler operating in and around London competing directly with Booker, Bestway and Dhamecha has pledged to offer retailers “the cheapest prices” on core convenience lines.
United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) officially launched its new cash and carry on 18 September, taking over the former Time Wholesale site in Rainham, just outside of central London. The depot has more than 10,000 individual lines and unlike, previous owner Time Wholesale, offers retailers an extensive vape range through a dedicated room for the category.
The firm has also added a comprehensive range of alcohol and food from Asia, while digital screens across the warehouse enables retailers to see the most up to date information on promotions and new products.
It is UWS first depot in England, adding to three existing sites in Glasgow and Grangemouth. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, UWS founder Mohammed Sarwar promised retailers the site would offer them “the cheapest prices” in the region.
Speaking to Better Wholesaling, the firm’s managing director Chris Gallacher said: “Retailers in the area have been crying out for a wholesaler like us. The cost of doing business today is different to what it was three years ago, so it was important for us to offer great service, great availability and great price, making sure our customers make more profit. This is especially true in such a competitive area.
Read more: United Wholesale (Scotland) completes Time Wholesale purchase
“As well as cash and carry, we’ve started a delivered service. The next phase is to create a bigger and better distribution network. We want to go out as far as Southampton, but it’s important we focus on the immediate area for now. We’ve currently got two delivery vehicles, but we’ll be expanding this to 15.
“At the same time, we want to expand our Day Today and USave symbol groups, which have never existed in London. We’ve got both an independent and symbol sales team who have been going out on the road to speak to potential customers. Our first store under the Day Today banner in London is opening around the middle of October.”
UWS has also used the depot opening to mark the launch of a new loyalty scheme. Explaining the programme, Gallacher said: “Loyal customers will get money back the more they spend. They don’t even need to spend their redeemed money in depot. For example, they will be able to use it to get discounts on pizza or food from partnered brands.”
Gallacher hinted at further expansion through acquisition, depending on the success of the Rainham depot.
