Unitas merger is completed
Today’s and Landmark union creates UK’s largest food and drink wholesale buying group
Two of wholesale’s biggest hitters have now officially become one, as Landmark and Today’s Group merge to become Unitas.
The new company, which began trading on 1 November, is now the UK’s largest food and drink wholesale buying group, is dedicated to supporting 180 independent wholesalers, including Parfetts, Dhamecha, Filshill and East End Foods, who support thousands of independent retailers and small businesses.
“Through enhanced scale and capability, Unitas will be the sustainable wholesale business partner for its supplier base, creating an alternative route to market in the face of the consolidation that is taking place within the wholesale sector,” said Darren Goldney, managing director, Unitas Wholesale.
Both groups have been through a period of consultation and selection with management and staff and can now confirm the structure to support Unitas. The Unitas Central Office will be located at the current Today’s Group head office in Doncaster. Landmark’s Milton Keynes office, will close at the end of April 2019.
“We are excited about the opportunities that Unitas will bring and glad that we have got to this stage quickly and smoothly,” said Goldney. “The efficiency of having access to greater scale with less points of contact demonstrates that independent wholesale is organising itself for the future. With that increased scale, the best practices that both organisations bring will also make our sales efforts more effective.
“Examples include a tighter, more focused own label range; a broader offering of central services that reduce costs for wholesalers and grows the footprint of sales; core range schemes that reach beyond the enlarged symbol estate, and the development of promotional execution processes that improve return on investment.”
Unitas will retain Caterers’ Kitchen, the Landmark foodservice own label alongside Landmark’s brands such as No3 cigarettes, LSV soft drinks, Prince Consort spirits and Vintners Collection wines which are now available to all Unitas members. Many former Today’s members have expressed an interest in stocking the Lifestyle retail own brand range and so a final decision regarding this will be taken in the New Year.
Current 2018 joint business agreements between the two groups and suppliers will remain in place until the end of the calendar year. The new Unitas Wholesale trading team will begin discussions with suppliers regarding 2019 from 1 December with operational alignment occurring throughout 2019 via a process of integration.
Caterers Kitchen Darren Goldney Landmark Wholesale Lifestyle merger Today's Group Unitas Wholesale
