Buying groups: Change and challenge – The Wholesale Group
We asked Tom Gittins, joint managing director of the UK’s newest buying group, to share the group’s learnings from 2024 and its plans for 2025
There is no doubt that the past 12 months have been a period of change, with ripples felt right across the sector. From rising costs to do business to a new government with a less-than-favourable Budget, it’s no wonder that the sector has found yet another year of trading tough.
However, despite these challenges, it was an incredibly successful year for Confex. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the group doubled in size and during 2024, added a flurry of new members which contributed to its record growth. There has been a number of highlights, not least record attendance at our annual trade show and our conference in September, all of which illustrated how we are firmly on the right path for the future.
While 2024 has been a year of growth, the changes taking place across the wider sector have shown clearly that we must be proactive and anticipate what is coming down the line.
As suppliers consolidate to adapt for the future, wholesale must do the same. An informal conversation with Fairway Foodservice about own-brand development led to further discussions around a shared vision, which presented an incredible opportunity for the future.
ECONOMY OF SCALE
What became clear was that both groups wanted the same: economy of scale, better access to every product category, central distribution, and a strong and effective route to market. Members and suppliers were in agreement and it quickly became clear how alike Confex and Fairway Foodservice were.
Both groups have steadfastly focused on delivering results and exceptional service through collaborative ways of working. Both groups have history and legacy, and both recognised the need to evolve and adapt to an ever-changing landscape.
These synergies also extend to members and central office staff. Our membership of family run independent businesses each reflect the wider group, and the two teams fit seamlessly as one. Everyone shares the same vision of the future, and how we, as a group, can survive and thrive. We are bringing together the best elements of both groups to become the true home of independent wholesalers. As a group, we will champion family run, independent businesses.
For 2025, our focus will be on building the strongest foundations for our head office. Utilising our central office base in the Cotswolds and a development kitchen in Huddersfield, the team have been hard at work integrating systems, establishing job roles and processes to ensure we act as one.
EFFECTIVE
With depots every 30 miles, The Wholesale Group remains close to the customer, while a new central payment system will ensure it is cheaper to deal with and more efficient and effective. We must behave as a national business while providing the service and expertise of a local supplier, driven by determination and a commitment to doing things differently and doing things better.
And, crucially, for members, The Wholesale Group’s offer is crystal-clear: we will be recruiting, and we are the only group with no membership fees and a share of the profits for all members.
All we ask of potential members is that you have the same ethos as the group, firmly focused on service and collaboration. After all, what could be better?
Click below to read other buying group reflections:
Confex Fairway Foodservice The Wholesale Group Tom Gittins
