Bestway has launched a major push for its Best-One fascia in Scotland as it ramps up its efforts to become one of the biggest c-store brands in the UK.

The launch north of the border comes a week after the wholesaler acquired Bellevue Cash & Carry, which has depots in Edinburgh and Stirling, giving it four in total in Scotland. It already has 720 stores in England.

Bestway business development controller James Hall said Scotland represented a massive untapped opportunity for its rapidly growing fascia.

"On the back of the build-up of Best-One in the past few years, we feel the time is right to bring the business to Scotland," he said. "As a symbol we are new up here but we see Scotland as a major area of growth for us and we have some good C&Cs up here. There is a lot of competition in Scotland but with our unique package we have what it takes to attract the best retailers."

Best-One first targeted Scotland at the start of 2010 when it appointed Hazel Smith as Scots business development manager to recruit retailers to the fascia. She has added 30 retailers to Best-One this year so far, according to Hall.

With the acquisition of Bellevue, Best-One hoped to entice some of the cash & carry's customers to join the symbol, he added.

The fascia would be attractive to retailers because of Bestway's own-label Best-in range, its strong promotional campaign and the support and freedom it offered its retailers.

Dozens of independent retailers and suppliers attended a launch party in Falkirk attended by snooker star Stephen Hendry.

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