Chetan Wholesale is to offer a delivered wholesale service for the first time, following increased demand from its customers.
The new offer is among several major plans from the Essex-based wholesaler to improve service to retailers in 2026.
Director Jay Mandalia told our sister website Better Retailing: “Since we opened in Southend at the beginning of 2025, we managed to create a core base around cash and carry. Now we’re exploring aspects of delivered, and the technology to support this is being developed in the background.
“It’ll be available through an app for customers who can’t reach us on a regular basis. The app is being developed in partnership with Unitas Wholesale. This is the plan for the next three-to-four months, and we’ll have a delivery radius of around 30-40 miles, extending into London.
“The majority of our phone calls are coming from our old customer base who used to come to our old Barking depot.”
Since opening in Southend, Mandalia said the firm’s customer base has steadily grown in the area. He added: “We’ve brought London prices to Southend and helped retailers to cut back fuel costs and travel time. We’re finding more loyalty outside of London and becoming a fully fledged wholesaler.
Read more: Chetan Wholesale’s new Southend depot to offer up to 4,000 lines
“They’re not having to pay congestion charges going into London, and we’re passing on savings through promotions and pricing. We’ve made a mark and gained more loyalty. We’ve got 3,000 customers on file and see around 150-to-200 in the depot a day. This is still growing.”
The Southend depot initially offered retailers 4,000 lines, with some of the range including more obscure international products.
However, Mandalia stressed the firm has streamlined the range over the past year. He said: “We’re stocking more of the branded goods now, but did try some of the lesser-known lines. It’s all been about core range.
“Our main customer base is retailers that manage a 500-1,500sq ft shop, and they tend to concentrate on core range. We’ve streamlined the available products to focus on the fastest-selling lines.
“Some of the newer products that have done really well include energy and soft drinks. They are representative of where the trends are going and our sales data reflects this.”
The warehouse is also a net-zero site, meaning it produces as much renewable energy as it uses. This is done through energy-efficient chillers for dairy products and electric vehicle charging for retailers who visit with electric or hybrid vehicles.
The cash and carry also has a system to filter and provide cleaner air to customers.
