Best-one
Owner: Bestway Retail
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 1,440 (2,000)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: Ambient £30 if order value below £1,250 (exc. tobacco)
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: Ambient £1,000 (excl. tobacco), chilled £100, if placed with ambient order
Minimum order spend: £5,000 per week
Online delivery partners: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Jisp
Rebate: Up to 5%
Other benefits: A dedicated BDM, access to over 400 direct-to-store suppliers, and “excellent” margin opportunities with our growing vape range.
Services: My Rewards rebates can be used to invest in store development projects.
USP: “Free and unrivalled access” to industry experts’ advice and insight
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost-of-living crisis? We opened our cash & carry depots to delivered customers without the loss of their rebates to ensure retailers can access the lowest prices.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? Our trading teams have ‘bought ahead’ to ensure we get stock before any price increases.
Plans for 2023? We will continue to improve the value message with stronger promotions, invest in IT to provide retailers with deeper insights into trends, and rollout a new look fascia.
Bargain Booze, Select Convenience & Wine Rack
Owner: Bestway Retail
Stores (vs 2021): 482 (500)
Type: Franchise
Membership costs: From £1,600 per year
Delivery costs: N/A
Minimum contract: N/A
Minimum order levels: N/A
Minimum order: N/A
Online delivery partners: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Jisp and Just Eat
Rebate: Up to 4%
Other benefits: Marketing support, managed EPoS solution, HR support for in-store recruitment
Services: Fascia, EPoS system, full shop fit.
USP: Multiple franchise fascias to choose from and The Bargain Booze Drinks at Home Event, which offers access to industry experts.
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost-of-living crisis? Our customers are experimenting in different alcohol brands such as RTDs cocktails to save money, so we have ensured we have plenty of stock. We have also offered promotions on these lines to help customers’ spending go further.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? We have forward planned to mitigate the inevitable increases that the industry has already seen due to inflation and our trading teams have delivered real agility in our stock management to keep availability high and products on shelves.
Plans for 2023? Pushing our ‘store within a store’ concept with Bargain Booze and Costcutter. We have completed 10 hybrid stores so far and are on track for at least 25 stores by the end of 2023.
Costcutter
Owner: Bestway Retail
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 1,260 (1,550)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: N/A
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: 150 cases ambient and 40 cases chilled/frozen
Minimum weekly spend: £7,500
Rebate: Up to 6%
Online delivery partners: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Jisp and Just Eat
Other benefits: Access to over 2,000 Co-op own brand products, loyalty scheme rewards, a BDM, and marketing support
Services: A strong field support team, store design and development team, and an in-house EPoS system
USP: Access to Bestway’s C&C network, the Bargain Booze hybrid concept, and our Co-op relationship.
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost-of-living crisis? We have extended our fuel levy refund scheme, worked tirelessly to buy ahead, and drove a strong promotional package
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? We have kept formats and product ranges under constant review. This means looking at alternative products where pricing or available becomes a real challenge for our retailers.
Plans for 2023? Expanding the hybrid concept with Bargain Booze and supply into areas of the UK that Bargain Booze hasn’t historically operated within
Go Local
Owner: Parfetts
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 1,100 (1,000)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Five years
Minimum order levels: £1,500
Minimum order spend: Subject to turnover
Rebate: 2%
Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper and Just Eat
Other benefits: Free marketing and digital support, store performance reviews, and access to our best prices and promotions
Services: Growing our team of dedicated retail development advisors to support store growth
USP: We’re employee-owned, so we can invest more into price and margin
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost of living crisis? We concentrated on increasing margins and ran six trade weeks, as well as our usual promotional calendar, to support retailers at a time when basket spend is under pressure.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? We continue to build strong relationships with suppliers and have enlarged our trading team to further improve those relationships.
Plans for 2023? Launching our new, bespoke, state-of-the-art depot in Birmingham, which will aid our plans to become a national player.
Keystore
Owner: JW Filshill
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 220 (208)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Five years
Minimum order levels: 50 cases (excluding tobacco & vape)
Minimum order spend: N/A
Rebate: Negotiable
Online delivery partners: Appy Shop
Other benefits: Winner of the Advantage Groups UK’s best Symbol Group four years running as voted for by suppliers
Services: See website for details, too many to list.
USP: Best supplier relationships in the industry, tailored delivery service & sector innovators
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost of living crisis? Our move into our new Distribution Centre in Q1 is designed to improve our efficiency and therefore negate some of the historic price rises hitting the sector. With improvement in productivity, we aim to mitigate some of the cost pressures our retailers and consumers are being hit with at the moment.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? As above
Plans for 2023? Move to our new DC in Q1, grow our Keystore estate by over 10%, and roll out mental health first aider training
Nisa
Owner: Co-op
Store numbers: N/A
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: £860+VAT
Delivery costs: Ambient – varies depending upon volume ordered/chill – no charge
Minimum contract: Six-month rolling contract for independent stores/three-year contract for fascia.
Minimum order levels: Ambient – 300 cases per week/chill & freeze – 120 cases per week.
Minimum order spend: No minimum spend for independents/£5k per week for fascia
Rebate: Up to 5.5% rebate with Nisa Fresh Rewards
Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper, Jisp, Uber Eats and Deliveroo
Other benefits: A flexible and unique partnership with access to more than 2,500 Co-op own label products and the option to use three Nisa fascias or their own independent name.
Services: Retailers get unparalleled support from a team of industry specialists, store development, comprehensive marketing package and market leading EPoS solution.
USP: Access to Co-op’s own brand range alongside ability to donate to local causes through the Making a Difference Locally charity.
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost of living crisis? We’ve broadened access to the Co-op Honest Value and Core Essentials ranges to ensure these value lines are readily accessible
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? Nisa invested in Co-op own label, including over 1,000 price reductions, to help with the cost of living crisis
Plans for 2023? MD Peter Batt, MD at Nisa has spent his first 100 days in role visiting and listening to retailers to help shape the strategy for 2023 and to better understand how Nisa can support their business. We’ll share more on this soon.
SimplyFresh & Simply Local
Owner: SimplyFresh & SimplyLocal
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 98 (96)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Five years for SimplyFresh, three years for SimplyLocal, three years for LittleFresh
Minimum order levels: 150 cases ambient/BWS/tobacco products, and 40 chilled/frozen products
Minimum order spend: SimplyFresh minimum weekly spend £8,000, SimplyLocal minimum weekly spend £5,000, LittleFresh minimum, weekly spend £5,000
Rebate: Up to 6%
Online delivery partners: Deliveroo, Snappy Shopper, Jisp
Other benefits: Access to over 2,000 Co-op own-brand lines, Bestway and its multiple supply options, loyalty scheme rewards
Services: BDM, store development, EPoS
USP: Multiple supply agreements including Nisa and Bestway, as well as industry leading brand and store aesthetic.
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost of living crisis? We have access to products through Nisa, Bestway and Bargain Booze, which enables retailers to select ranges according to their stores price profile, opening up even more promotions and keener pricing than they have ever had before.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? We are working with our retailers to help reduce overheads, such as chip and pin costs and temperature and energy monitoring systems.
Plans for 2023? Supporting retailers’ energy cost inflations with PPA’s and SolarPV. Working more closely with Bestway to participate in new supply chain initiatives. Trialling new formats and tech in the summer
Select & Save
Owner: S&S
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 153 (121)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: £3,500 per week
Minimum order spend: £1,250 ambient and £100 Chilled
Rebate: Up to 5%
Online delivery partners: Deliveroo and Snappy Shopper
Other benefits: Store support and advice in all aspects of running retailer stores
Services: Electronic, deliveries, utility, drop shipment and full turn key operation in all aspects of Symbol group
USP: The only truly independent symbol offering Independence for independents. Doing the right thing, for them and their future.
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost of living crisis? Focus on availability and what their customers need and want with price mark and value promotions.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? we have looked at better value for all areas from cost of goods to Utility deals, and looking at alternative ranges and services to ensure the stores succeed and survive in a tough market
Plans for 2023? Large changes with value, support and exciting new plans for 2023 to continue to be independent for our customers to help them survive and grow
Spar
Owner: Spar UK
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 2,600 (2,600)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: Free for first year
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: None, dependent on needs of retailer.
Minimum order levels: Dependent on needs of retailer.
Minimum order spend: As above
Rebate: Not disclosed
Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Appetite, Jisp, Appy Shop
Other benefits: Spar supports retailers with its five wholesalers who invest in the brand, stores, product, ranges, IT, and infrastructure.
Services: Spar operates a profitable multi-format retail strategy which meets specific customer propositions and is tailored to suit each store, each local community, and local shoppers.
USP: Our close co-operation of individual retailers and wholesalers at a local level
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost of living crisis? We are developing food to go and food for now as people eat out less, while reviewing Spar own label to ensure it is best suited to changing consumer needs
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? Convenience will continue to modestly outperform the market, sustained by ongoing investment from independent retailers in new and improved stores, bringing enhanced capability to the channel.
Plans for 2023? To deliver value, key marketing initiatives and customer mission-based formats that drive sales and profitability for our retailers to help combat rising costs
Today’s, Day-Today & Lifestyle Express
Owner: Unitas Wholesale
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): Today’s 291 (276); Day-Today 253 (262); Lifestyle Express 224 (270)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: Free
Delivery costs: Negotiated between the retailer and Unitas Member Wholesaler
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: Negotiated between the retailer and Unitas Member Wholesaler
Minimum order spend: As above
Rebate: As above
Online delivery partners: N/A
Other benefits: Plan for Profit website & app is the umbrella of a group of initiatives which influence the range of products all independent retailers should stock in their stores and is a platform through which we communicate and advise retailers on their range, NPD and wider retail matters
Services: Helping retailers to save more and sell more
USP: Access to our own-brand Lifestyle, LSV, and Exclusive Wines
How are you helping retailers and their shoppers manage the cost-of-living crisis? We are working with suppliers to negotiate the best terms and promotional deals, and ensuring members’ margins are not negatively impacted on PMPs, particularly in the impulse category.
What key changes have you made to mitigate inflation and ongoing shortages? We are working closely with suppliers to ensure that our members gain a fair share of those products that are in shortest supply.
Plans for 2023? Work is already in progress to clearly define a clear direction of our Foodservice, On Trade and own brand businesses to ensure we are creating a strong and sustainable strategy for Unitas and our membership
Budgens
Owner: Booker Group
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 385 (357)
Type: Convenience & Forecourts
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: 150 cases
Minimum order spend: N/A
Rebate: Up to 6%
Online delivery partners: Retailers have the freedom to choose their own
Other benefits: Free marketing support, leading social Facebook pages
Services: Budgens says it provides a full range of services
USP: Fresh and chilled offer, social media presence
Family Shopper
Owner: Booker Wholesale
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 160 (138)
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: £29.95 per drop
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: N/A
Minimum order spend: £1,000
Rebate: up to 5%
Other benefits: Up to 5% spend and save scheme, free store layout plans and merchandising support, access to own label and over 250 centrally billed suppliers, assistance with van leasing, free merchandisers, fascia and window imagery, food to go solutions
USP: Driving incremental footfall from amazing value and newness, while helping customers engage and support their local communities
Londis
Owner: Booker Group
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 2304 (2,238)
Type: Convenience & forecourts
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: 100 cases
Minimum order spend: N/A
Rebate: Up to 5%
Online delivery partners: Retailers have the freedom to choose their own partner
Other benefits: Free marketing support, industry leading fresh range, bigger group better for all
Services: Londis says it provides a full range of services.
USP: The UK’s largest forecourt partner
Premier
Owner: Booker wholesale
Stores 2022 (vs 2021): 4,000 (3,700)
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: £29.95 per drop
Minimum contract: Three years
Minimum order levels: N/A
Minimum order spend: £1,000
Rebate: Up to 5%
Online delivery partners: Customers have the freedom to choose their own partner
Other benefits: American confectionery and food to go solutions available, access to own label and over 250 centrally billed suppliers, largest field sales team in the UK
USP: A sustainable model so our retailers can make more profit even with costs rising significantly, driving incremental footfall from amazing value and newness, and helping customers engage and support their local communities
