“I’ve never seen so many white vans - well, apart from at Dover docks,” one retailer quips as he loads up his trolley at the United Wholesale Scotland depot.
And it is no exaggeration. The queues have been been getting longer by the day since the second of the Scottish firm’s depots, on the city’s West Street, opened in August. With its focus on licensed products, it complements the Maxwell Road site which offers general grocery lines.
And, says United Wholesale Scotland’s MD, Athif Sarwar, who turned 25 just weeks after overseeing the opening, it is just the first development in United’s ambitious expansion plans.
“We are currently looking at three sites that we have earmarked for possible development and next year plan to open a third depot, which could also offer a deliver service.
“In a few years’ time I also hope to branch out of Glasgow and open depots in other areas of Scotland like Dundee and Edinburgh.”
The driving force behind the family business, Sarwar has been involved since his school days when he worked the occasional shift, finally taking up the reins after completing his university degree.
His aspiration to become the leading player in the Scottish market is well on track, says The Today’s Group managing director Rodney Hunt, who believes a combination of aggressive promotional activity and innovative marketing campaigns, tied in with religious and sporting events, are fuelling United Wholesale Scotland’s success.
“They are very hungry for business and want to keep expanding. I can see them going a long way because with Today’s help they have come up with some very innovative campaigns. I’m sure there will be two new depots opening in the very near future.”