Sainsbury’s abandoning wholesale operation

Sainsbury’s has announced it will close its wholesale operation as part of a plan to “simplify” its business.

The move means supply to the Simply Fresh and other independent stores the major retailer was working with will end at the end of a year-long transitionary period.

The decision has been made as part of a wider company strategy after 18 months of progress in the category.

“As part of our plan to put food back at the heart of Sainsbury’s, we are simplifying our business so we can focus on what matters most to our customers – lower prices, exciting new products and convenient ways to shop,” said a Sainsbury’s spokesperson.

“To deliver our plan we must prioritise what we do. We have just started talking to our retail partners and colleagues about what this means for the future of wholesale and it will be a gradual process.

“We know these conversations may cause uncertainty for our partners and colleagues and we are committing to supporting them.”

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