Landmark Wholesale could be interested in wooing Costco as a response to the Today's Group's tie-up with Makro Cash & Carry.

Makro joining rival Today's this month added £1.1bn of sales to the Scunthorpe-based group's buying power, which sources believe could give Today's wholesale members a price advantage over Landmark members. It is believed Landmark could seek to redress this by approaching Costco. One industry source said: "Costco is a similar-scale operation so it would make sense if Landmark sought to get it on board."

The US-based discount wholesaler operates 19 C&Cs in the UK with a turnover of £953.4m and is currently ranked seventh in The Grocer Big 30 list of wholesalers.

Landmark refused to comment on whether it would be attempting to attract Costco or the persistent rumours that it may develop a collaborative working arrangement with Today's.