Foodservice buying clout at Landmark to break £1bn mark

Landmark Wholesale's buying power in foodservice will exceed the £1bn mark when new member Country Range Group joins the buying group next year.

CRG, a buying group formed by 14 regional foodservice wholesalers, will take up membership in January, defecting from Today's Group.

"CRG has ambitious plans and membership of Landmark Wholesale is part of this vision," said MD Colin Birchall. "We look forward to working with Landmark Wholesale to assist in that development and to strengthen our offer across all our categories."

Joining up with Landmark was part of a strategic review of the business and would allow the company to strengthen partnerships with suppliers, he added.

Landmark Wholesale began the year with foodservice sales of £650m. This rose to just under £800m when it was joined by JJ Food Service in February. CRG will bring it to "well over the £1bn mark", said Landmark Wholesale MD Martin Williams. "We are delighted that CRG is joining us," he added. "They are viewed as one of the most professional and respected foodservice buying groups in the UK. They share our vision and we are looking forward to working with them in the coming years."

Birchall added that the agreement would strengthen CRG's central office because it would now "speak and act as one entity" for the first time. It will continue to exclusively sell and develop its Country Range own-label products.

Country Range's capture is an important win for Landmark after losing Elbrook to Today's in February.