Hancocks Warehouse

Source: Hancocks

All 19 depots ceased trading until further notice on Sunday (29 March)

  • The company made the “difficult decision” in order to safeguard staff and customers 

  • The wholesaler has reduced its online minimum spend and free delivery threshold

 

National confectionery wholesaler Hancocks is to temporarily shut all 19 of its cash & carry depots from Sunday.

The Grocer understands it to be the first wholesaler to close its doors in response to the coronavirus crisis.

In a statement the company said the “difficult decision” was made to safeguard staff and customers from the spread of the virus.

From 1pm on Sunday 29 March all 19 depots will cease trading until further notice.

To mitigate inconvenience to retailers, the wholesaler has lowered its online minimum spend to £35 and reduced the free delivery threshold from £500 to £250.

“We take great pride in being able to service our customers to the highest standards, from specialist sweet shops and local village shops to large-scale sweet businesses,” said a company spokesman.

“However, as a nation we have to fight Covid-19 together and responding to the advice of the government to restrict social contact and activity, we have decided this is the best way for us to do our part to support the UK through this.”

The £70m-turnover business based in Loughborough supplies retailers all over the country from its 19 depots, selling a range of sweets including its Kingsway own label, value and specialist confectionery.