The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has enthusiastically welcomed Government moves announced in the Budget to counter duty fraud on alcohol, after intensively lobbying for such action.

Booker has revealed plans to open a depot in Mumbai, India, and announced further sales growth.

Today's managing director Rodney Hunt's retirement was marked at the group's Annual Awards evening at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, but it was also revealed that his links with the group will not be completely severed.

Palmer and Harvey is launching Sweetdirect, a direct to store van sales service, supplying a range of confectionery and sweet brands.

Increased promotional offers by sponsors Tetley Tea and McVitie's, and new brand support from Tate & Lyle, will boost this year's National Cuppa Day (NCD) which falls on June 3 in National Independents' Week (NIW), the centrepiece of the FWD My Shop is Your Shop campaign.

Parfetts Cash & Carry has taken the next steps in developing its employee owned status.

Sugro has announced that 300 independent shops that trade with it will be taking part in National Cuppa Day (NCD), during National Independents' Week (NIW).

Landmark Wholesale has announced that Restaurant Wholesale has joined the Group.

Team Valley based JR Holland Food Services has been selected as the provider for a European study which will examine whether the provision of free fruit in the workplace is a useful way to improve employees health and wellbeing.

Hancocks has launched a new pick and mix stand.

Cardiff-based Today's Group member New Warwick has won a contract with the South Wales Universities and Colleges Board worth over £1m, to supply the shops, cafes and canteens of the colleges and universities in its catchment area.

'Stronger together' was the theme for this year's annual Budgens and Londis conferences where Phil Smith, managing director, Musgrave Retail Partners GB pledged a £10m investment to support retailers in 2009.

Bestway has launched the Best-in Cash Accumulator Promotion, which runs until May 14.

Today's Group member Dee Bee Cash & Carry has launched an online ordering service which stores can offer to their customers.

"What's that coming over the hill is it a monster? Is it a monster?" was the interminably repeated refrain of a pop hit of a couple of years back by a group called The Automatic. For me, it was one of those subliminal lyrics that stuck in my head for a very long time!

Makro has launched its latest Professional Catering Catalogue for Easter through to the Summer bank holiday.

Wholesalers and their customers met MPs, Lords and policy makers at a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons to tell them first hand about the concerns and the key issues affecting independent newsagents and convenience store retailers.

Confectionery cash and carry company Hancocks has appointed a new manager of the recently opened depot in Liverpool.

Landmark Wholesale member Parfetts Cash & Carry has added to its IT support team with the appointment of Chris Hilton.

Dave McKay, personnel director for James Hall & Company, has retired after over 43 years with the company.

Kate's Cakes has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Christopher Climpson.

* Job title: trading controller, wines & spirits

Speakers including Martin Race, commercial director of Batleys, and Grant Scrimgeour, director of wholesale at CJ Lang & Son, have been lined up for the Scottish Wholesale Association Annual Conference on June 5-7.

CJ Lang & Son held its Experience Awards evening to congratulate employees.

More than 6,500 retailers and suppliers are expected to attend Pro-retail this year.

April

Not many people know this - but just as the owners of an independent store decided to pull down the shutters for good, the postman called.

IT system i-snapshot, allows sales teams to send key information via their mobile phones.

Hopwells, a frozen food supplier, has taken delivery of Isuzu Euro 4 'Forward' F120.240 12 tonne rigids.

Cash management solutions provider Loomis has launched SafePoint+.

Fresh Technologies, a packing supplier, has a solution to help with the preservation of foodstuffs.

After several years editing a magazine covering the independent retail sector, James Bielby finds himself "on the other side of the fence" but he is relishing the opportunity for action, and making the news rather than simply reporting it.

== LOCAL AND PROUD OF IT ==

Believe it or not, there's never been a better time to be a licensed retailer, according to Ross Shelley, director of the FWD Take Home Blueprint scheme. He says due to the effects of the recession, people are cutting down on going out to pubs, restaurants, cinemas and other entertainments, preferring instead to save money by drinking at home with friends and family.

Landmark Wholesale member Parfetts Cash & Carry has joined forces with the FWD Take Home Blueprint team to bring the sales-enhancing benefits of this scheme to its retailers.

Generating profitable sales is the most important aspect of running any business.

Each year him! speaks to over 3,500 independent caterers while they are shopping at cash and carries throughout the UK to understand what they are buying and why.

Farm Frites has introduced its Natures Goodness range, which is prepared with 100% sunflower oil.

The Authentic Food Company has introduced two Oriental snacks to its starter and buffet portfolio.

Heinz Foodservice has unveiled new packaging for its individual portion SqueezeMe! Tomato Ketchup.

Mövenpick has launched two new flavours to its range of ice creams.

Jus-Rol has expanded its range of frozen pastry shapes with a Shortcrust oval.

Exchange rates and increases in duty have helped to keep value growing in the wine sector, but volume is currently flat, and there is concern about the decline of the on-trade and the prospect of further duty rises.

As summer weather approaches the idea of barbecues become more appealing. And consumers are starting to become more exotic in what they want to eat.

Last year's summer didn't meet expectations, and with the present squeeze on the consumers purse, companies are keen to offer promotions, rewards and lower priced products to encourage consumers to buy.

General Mills has introduced the Wanchai Ferry brand.

Procter and Gamble has added two new variants to its Daz range.

Mars has launched Galaxy Cookie Crumble in 45g singles following the success of the 120g bar.

Cadbury has launched its Cadbury bitesize range.

JTI is introducing a limited edition World Inside design for its Camel brand.

Birds Eye has launched a range of products under the Steakhouse brand.

Nestlé Confectionery is launching a Fashion Break on-pack promotion for KitKat Senses.

Müller Little Stars has teamed up with the Early Learning Centre to offer toy prize draws.

Unilever has re-designed the packaging for the Impulse range and added a new Impulse fragrance to the range, Romantic Spark.

SCA (Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget) has launched an on-pack promotion on its Charmin brand.

Scottish & Newcastle UK has announced plans to re-launch its White Lightning cider brand with a reduced alcoholic strength, as part of the company's drive to encourage responsibility in the white cider sector.

Whyte & Mackay is aiming to raise its profile further through sponsorship of the Force India Formula one team, with the brand's logo displayed on the car and on the drivers' racing overalls.

Scottish & Newcastle UK is launching 'Game on', which it claims will be the biggest and widest-reaching promotion ever for Foster's

Mamma Roma is launching Japanese Samurai Sake, which it says is the strongest sake available. It has an ABV of 46%.

The Thai beer Chang is being made available in a new six-bottle carry-out pack following a successful trial in convenience stores.

== monday ==

Sugro has been working closely with the cigarette companies following the government's proposed legislation for a tobacco display ban, as has the FWD.

Let's assume your customer is stalling on payment - perhaps more so than usual; what are your options?

Booker has announced further sales growth and plans to open a cash and carry depot in Mumbai, India, by the end of the summer.
In the final quarter ending March 27, sales rose by 6.4% on the same period last year. Non-tobacco like-for-likes rose by 10.2%, while like-for-like tobacco sales increased by 1.2%.
Total sales in the 52 weeks to March 27 were up by 3.3% and total like-for-likes up by 2.8%. Like-for-like non-tobacco sales rose by 5.7%, while like-for-like tobacco sales declined by 1.5%.
It said net debt was cut to around £25m compared with £47m a year ago and profits remain in line with management expectations.
It also revealed that following a detailed review it has secured a site for a cash and carry in Mumbai, India, and it is planned for the site to be trading by the end of the summer.
Booker chief executive Charles Wilson said: “Booker continues to trade well, in spite of the economic environment. We look forward to serving the stores, food stalls and restaurants of Mumbai.”