As someone who has built my career across retail and wholesale, one thing has always been clear to me: women are the heartbeat of our industry. They make up 60% to 65% of the retail workforce and around 70% of the hospitality sector.
Wholesale is built on service, community, resilience and creativity – qualities women demonstrate every day across stores, kitchens, supply chains and small businesses. The opportunity now is to ensure those strengths shape decisions at the very top.
Too few women today see wholesale as a natural next step in their careers, partly because the industry hasn’t always showcased the breadth of opportunities, or the success stories of women already thriving within it. Many don’t realise how strongly their experience – whether in retail, hospitality or customer‑facing environments – translates into wholesale.
But that’s where leadership matters: opening the door wider, showcasing what’s possible and championing the impact women can have at every level.
Shaping the future
The challenge the industry faces is representation, ensuring women not only enter wholesale but progress and be seen. But as the sector evolves rapidly, there is also a powerful opportunity to shape a future that reflects the customers and colleagues it serves. When women’s perspectives help inform decision‑making, we gain a richer, more authentic understanding of real‑world needs. And in an industry grounded in service, relationships and problem‑solving, that insight is invaluable.
My own journey began part‑time in stores. Back then, I couldn’t imagine it would lead me into supply chain leadership, and that’s part of my motivation to be co‑chair of our Women at Booker colleague network. What I discovered early on is that our industry rewards curiosity, collaboration and a genuine passion for customers. It is dynamic, people‑focused, and full of opportunities to solve real problems – qualities women bring in abundance.
And for me, it is also a privilege. Every day, we have the opportunity to support thousands of entrepreneurs, retailers, and small business owners, providing the innovation and reliability they need. Their drive, resilience and creativity are endlessly inspiring. Serving them isn’t just a commercial responsibility, it’s a reminder of the vital role wholesale plays in helping communities thrive. To play even a small part in their success is something I never take for granted.
At Booker, we are committed to creating a culture where women can grow, lead and influence. Our Women at Booker network has already driven progress, from mentoring programmes and career development toolkits to learning‑led events and open forums, but there’s always more to do.
For women considering their next move, I would say this: if you thrive in environments where no two days are the same, if you care deeply about serving communities, and if you want to shape products, services and systems that genuinely support small businesses, then wholesale is a place you can make a meaningful difference.
We need women at every level to shape what comes next. Not as a token gesture, but because diversity strengthens decision‑making and ensures our sector reflects the real world.
Wholesale is full of possibility. For women ready to make a difference at scale, there has never been a better moment to step forward and help shape the future of our industry.
Trudy Wilson is director of supply chain at Booker Group
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