Booker accelerates its growth in sales

Booker is continuing to increase its rate of growth with total sales in the 12 weeks to June 19 up 7.8% on the same period last year. Non-tobacco sales were up 10.4% and tobacco sales grew by 3.9%.

Martin Williams

Landmark gives record payout to its members

Landmark Wholesale has reported a record year for its 32 members, delivering the highest dividend payments in the group's 37-year history.

Peter Blakemore appointed Prince Charles' ambassador

AF Blakemore & Son's managing director Peter Blakemore has been named the 2009 Prince's Ambassador for the West Midlands.

Minister gives NIW support

Reports are still coming in to the organisers of the My Shop is Your Shop campaign about high level support for its National Independents' Week event.

James Bielby

New regulations fail to rein in duty avoidance

FWD members are reporting that the problem of duty fraud on alcohol is as bad as ever, despite new regulations introduced by HM Revenue & Customs at the start of June.

Musgrave enhances chilled and fresh service for Londis

Musgrave Retail Partners GB will be capable of delivering a full fresh and chilled range to the entire membership of Londis by the end of the summer, according to managing director Phil Smith.

Record year for the FWD Take Home Blueprint

The FWD's Take Home Blueprint had a record year, according to Graham Shelley of IMA, which runs the programme. He told this year's FWD Drinksummit conference: "One way or another we have merchandised over 1,600 stores."

Cash and carry reverses decade-long closing trend

Growth in the cash and carry sector outstripped the delivered grocery for the first time in a decade according to the IGD

Booker offers SOR on Retail Best Sellers

Booker is now offering retailers sale or return on all full cases of its Retail Best Sellers (RBS) range, excluding chilled and frozen products.

Sustainability push at Makro

Makro has announced that it has integrated a new video conferencing system at its head office in Eccles, as the company strives to increase its focus on its sustainability policy.

3663 cheese gains Red Tractor

3663 has gained Red Tractor accreditation for its range of Chef's Smart Choice deli block cheeses.

Today's Group sets up next speed dating

The Today's Group will hold its fourth annual Speed Dating event, where suppliers and wholesalers meet face-to-face to discuss how best they could work together, on September 9-10.

Hannes Floto

Makro reveals next stores for revamp

Makro has announced the next eight locations in its major store investment programme, which will see all 30 of its UK stores revamped by the end of 2010.

Bestway raises funds for charity with Ascot event

Bestway Cash & Carry Group held its 15th annual charity event at Royal Ascot. This year the benefiting charity was The Prince's Trust.

review james bielby chief executive federation of wholesale distributor

Allard Sjollema

Two appointments at Makro

Makro has announced two new senior board appointments.

George Benson introduced as the SWA vice-president

The Scottish Wholesale Association has appointed George Benson, commercial director of Edinburgh-based Bellevue, as vice-president.

Premier Foods promotes Riddle

Premier Foods has promoted Andy Riddle to head of foodservice - cash and carry sales.

From left: Francis Ball, John Robinson and James Bielby

Carlsberg scoops Drinksummit Vase

Carlsberg UK was the winner of the Drinksummit Vase at the annual Federation of Wholesale Distributors Drinksummit.

Bestway team stumps Nestlé

Bestway emerged the winner for the second consecutive year at the annual Nestlé Waters and Bestway Cricket Challenge in Mill Hill in London.

Grand Prix depot incentive from Red Bull

Red Bull is running a cash and carry incentive, offering a VIP trip to the Spanish Grand Prix in 2010.

what's on

August

Captain Vigilante

== RADIO TIMES. ==

Breaking the chains

If you eagerly take on business which you later find actually costs you money, what are your options? Your customer will have their own pressures up the supply chain and not welcome your request for a price increase.

A symbol of the times

The IGD reports that the number of symbol retailers has increased by 2% and non-affiliated independents trading is down by 5% when compared to 2008, making symbols the fastest growing sector within convenience.

CO² and savings - the big card to play

Every year, consumers who just walk to local shops rather than driving prevent the production of one million tons of carbon emissions - a significant contribution to curbing climate change.

Value is vital

Speakers at the FWD Drinksummit highlighted value as the vital element for consumers in the current economic climate. John Wood and Katie Davies reports

Steve Parfett

Blueprint and MSYS praised by Parfett

A strong endorsement for the FWD's Take Home Blueprint and its My Shop is Your Shop initiative, was delivered by Parfetts managing director Steve Parfett.

Diverse customers require right range

Steve Fox, Booker's sales director - retail, focused on three key areas retailers need to concentrate on to cater for their diverse customer base.

Value judged by the appeal of promotion

Consumers are changing the way they shop, and to be successful we need to change with them, warned Tony Walsh, senior client manager of Nielsen.

Neil Barker

Recession proof wine leads drinks sector

Wine is recession proof according to Neil Barker, commercial director UK & Ireland of Foster's EMEA.

Message about value for money is crucial

Simon Harrison, commercial director of wholesale and convenience at InBev, suggested that smaller pack sizes are key sellers.

Premium opportunity in the impulse channel

Richard Jones, channel director of Pernod Ricard, started his joint presentation with Nick Kirby, category development controller for Pernod Ricard, by saying how pleased he was to hear that he and the other speakers seemed to all be working in the same direction.

Filling gaps in drinks brands on the shelf

Wendy Lanigan, of Lanigan's at Aintree in Liverpool, explained how a full implementation of the FWD Blueprint and its PLOD initiative helped to boost her off licence sales by 33%, and she said sales were still rising.

Confidence enables Steve to sell more

Steve Robinson, of Best-one, Streatham Hill, London, highlighted the way the Take Home Blueprint had boosted his business.

Retailer gives thanks for supplier support

Praise for the support given to retailers by suppliers and wholesalers was voiced by Steve Jones, of the Premier The Fountain Shop in Merthyr Tydfil.

Wine tastings attract affluent customers

The benefits of wine tastings were highlighted by Sunder Sander of S&S Londis, Leamington Spa.

Price-marked packs get the thumbs up

Darren Norman, of Premier Store, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, took the opportunity to offer suppliers some advice.

Nusrat Hussain

Letter about benefits inspired by Blueprint

Nusrat Hussain, of Grange Moor Off Licence, Halifax, explained why she had written a letter to trade press editors saying that the Blueprint works and independent retailers with a licence should use it.

Iain Hill

Delivering more to the customer

With the theme of The Spirit of Scotland the Scottish Wholesale Associations annual conference was never going to be anything less than patriotic.

Expanding your sales potential

We have all heard of amazing instances where a large contract has been lost because a surly lorry driver has refused to drop his delivery in the place most convenient for the customer, or perhaps one of our members of staff in accounts was rude to a customer's staff leading to a review of the business relationship.

Nestlé Professional sponsors the Stealth ride at Thorpe Park

Nestlé Professional UK has announced its collaboration with Merlin Entertainment Group.

Heinz Foodservice offers £10,000

Heinz Foodservice is offering caterers the chance to win up to £10,000.

Honey and maple flavour syrup alternatives introduced by Lyle's

Lyle's has introduced two alternatives to honey and maple syrup.

Unilever introduces Knorr Puréed Herbs

Unilever Foodsolutions has launched Knorr Puréed Herbs and Spices range.

Aimia launches Mooo2 whitener

Aimia has launched a premium whitener for vending and out of home machines.

Keeping retailers in the picture

While proposed changes to the laws governing display of tobacco products in stores have understandably claimed most attention in the trade, the most recent change to the regulations affecting the sector is being implemented very smoothly.

Brands clean up

Across a range of items consumers are looking to save pennies by switching to low cost products. However, it appears that consumers are sticking with household brands and viewing them as value for money.

Green credentials will help win new contracts

With wholesalers watching every penny of costs, more and more are finding that doing their bit for the environment is also good for their bank balances. Optimising use of a lorry fleet or cutting the amount of electricity used at a depot can help to minimise a company's impact on the environment, but it will also reduce the bills too.

Cadbury is working to achieve Fairtrade certification for Cadbury Dairy Milk

Partnership to secure future

Throughout its almost 200-year history Cadbury has insisted that good business and strong values go hand in hand. Over the years the company's values have remained constant, and corporate responsibility is at the core of the Cadbury business with six sustainability commitments underpinning its vision to be the biggest and best confectionery company in the world.

Kenco has been working on coffee sustainability for 15 years

Kenco building sustainability into its business

Kraft Foods, parent company of The Kenco Coffee Company, says it is continually working to reduce the environmental impact of its activities, preventing pollution and promoting the sustainability of the natural resources on which it depends, while providing high quality products that meet the needs of its consumers.

Del Monte has recently chosen RH Amar & Co to distribute its range of canned fruit, Fruit Express and its Fruitini products

Succeeding by applying a time tested formula

RH Amar & Co is a full service food distributor whose sales reach extends across the whole of the UK and into Ireland.

Consumers can win a holiday to see Natural Wonders with Britvic

Britvic is offering consumers £10 off their next holiday.

New flavour for Oat So Simple range

PepsiCo has added a new flavour to its Quaker range.

JTI introduces Benson & Hedges Rolling Tobacco to add choice

JTI is launching a new product to challenge Golden Virginia's dominance of the premium rolling tobacco segment.

Red Bull X-Fighters come to UK

Red Bull is the sponsor of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Series Finale.

UBUK asks for films from consumers

UBUK is running TV advertising for Hula Hoops to draw attention to an on-pack promotion.

Vimto offers retailers £200 to spend in local cash and carries

Vimto is offering retailers the chance to win £200 to spend in their local cash and carry.

Exclusive tickets to see Beyoncé to be won from Trident packs

Cadbury has announced that Trident has teamed up with Beyoncé to offer an exclusive concert at the O2 Arena.

Yoplait adds to the Petits Filous range

Yoplait is expanding its Petits Filous fromage frais range.

Opportunity to win cash with Maynards

Cadbury has launched an on-pack promotion for Maynards.

Pritt launches Paint Ball pack

Pritt, the glue stick brand, has extended its range with Paint Ball.

Scrumpy Jack given a new look which celebrates its heritage

Jygsaw Brands is refreshing Scrumpy Jack in the off-trade with new packaging that celebrates the brand's heritage and provenance.

Glayva campaign to extend summer

Glavya will be showcasing its 'Make Your Summer Last Longer' campaign over the next four months to promote the brand as a drink for all seasons.

CWF secures the UK distribution rights for Italian Pinot Spumante

CWF, the Yorkshire-based importer, agent, producer, bottler and distributor of wines and alcoholic beverages, has secured an exclusive deal to represent Italy's Tombacco Winery's 'TO' Pinot Spumante Brut in the UK.

Freixenet taps into stay at home trend

Freixenet has launched a summer on-pack promotion to tap into the UK trend for stay at home holidays. Neck-rings will appear on bottles of Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut, Cordon Negro Medium Dry and Cordon Rosado offering rewards up to a value of £48.

Red Square Reloaded relaunch revamps look and adds to range

Halewood International is relaunching its Red Square Reloaded RTD product and launching a Moscow Mule variant.

Buyer's Diary

== Monday ==