All articles by Alice Leader – Page 2
-
NewsIndependent retailers raise £10bn for National Lottery good causes
It marks a sum raised by 22,000 independent retailers since the National Lottery launched in the UK in 1994
-
NewsFWD welcomes warehouse tax u-turn but warns rates burden remains
Chancellor John Healey is reported to have ruled out a warehouse tax at the weekend following a backlash from retail bosses
-
NewsParfetts to rebrand to Go Local Wholesale as it targets £1bn in sales
The change brings the wholesaler under the same name as its Go Local symbol estate
-
NewsCo-op unifies franchise and wholesale operations as contract value doubles
The new division will see the wholesale arm’s existing business development and account management teams expanded to service both channels
-
NewsJJ Foodservice gains 300 customers through TikTok Shop pilot
The shop currently offers more than 30 best-selling products with no minimum spend
-
NewsBooker in ‘very healthy place’ despite sales fall, says Tesco CFO
Tesco blamed the ongoing decline in tobacco sales and lapping ‘exceptionally’ strong growth in foodservice last year for Booker’s results
-
NewsUnitas targets scale, data and unison in wholesale overhaul
Incoming CEO David Cooke told The Grocer that negotiating terms was no longer enough to keep the buying group ‘healthy and relevant’ for the next 10 years
-
NewsCo-op Wholesale drops Peckish to focus on Snappy Shopper
Peckish launched in February 2025, backed by a £1m first-year investment, and had ambitious plans to sign up more than 1,000 independent stores within 12 months
-
NewsUnitas launches first own-label confectionery range under Local Living
The Local Living confectionery range spans Fizzy Mix, Giant Fizzy Strawbs, Mini Pencils, Tangy Mix, Sour Snakes and Party Mix
-
NewsParfetts signs up 41 symbol stores after southern expansion
The employee-owned wholesaler launched the 113,000 sq ft site in September 2025 as its ninth depot overall, giving it a major foothold across the south coast and London
-
NewsAF Blakemore ramps up Snappy Shopper partnership as customer numbers rise
The rollout takes its online estate to 167 stores, all of which are company-owned
-
NewsKitwave acquires First Choice Foodservice
First Choice will join Kitwave’s foodservice division alongside its other acquired businesses Creed, Total, WestCountry, Fife Creamery and Charles Saunders Foodservice
-
NewsAF Blakemore CEO Carol Welch steps down
She joined in 2023, succeeding Jerry Marwood, having previously been Odeon MD for UK & Ireland and Europe commercial officer for six years
-
NewsCo-op appoints new managing director of retail
The new hire will be focused on accelerating Co-op’s food retail growth, strengthening the customer proposition, and supporting innovation across stores and digital channels
-
NewsVape display ban would cost retailers £3,000 per store, warns ACS
It comes as the Department of Health & Social Care launched a consultation in July, proposing to introduce plain packaging on both vape boxes and devices, as well as a complete ban on the display of vape and nicotine products in shops, as part of its efforts to stop young people vaping
-
NewsSpar wins Swansea University store contract from Costcutter
The store, which will now be supplied by Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore, has been revamped with new refrigeration, digital screens, electronic shelf labels, and a broader range
-
NewsWeight-loss drugs to fuel rise of smaller plates in 2027, says Bidfood
The foodservice wholesaler has predicted ‘Mini & Mighty’ dishes will drive growth for operators, such as right-sized bowls, sliders, snack pots, mini desserts and grazing plates
-
NewsDike & Son sells 92% of reduced stock through Gander in record week
The latest results mark its highest sell-through rate since joining Gander in February, up from around 73%, selling 1,200 of the 1,310 products it had reduced that week
-
NewsCMA accepts Co-op store sell-off plan in Southern merger deal
The watchdog was concerned that the merger with Southern Co-op could reduce competition in local areas where both businesses operate, harming both convenience store shoppers and people arranging attended funeral services.
-
NewsCo-op Wholesale renews contract with Pro Gro Supermarkets
The new supply contract will continue to cover Pro Gro’s estate of 12 Nisa stores across Scotland





