The Federation of Wholesale distributors is calling for George Osborne to create an environment which produces sustained economic growth for the wholesale distribution sector in his Emergency Budget on June 22.

Makro has announced the next three locations in its major store investment programme, which will see 24 of its UK stores revamped by the end of 2010.

Delivered wholesale group Sugro revealed plans for a new range of fascia stores at its Annual Conference.

Booker has announced pre-tax profits were up 21.2% to £57.2m for the year to March 26, and also revealed expansion plans for its Indian operation.

Parfetts Cash & Carry’s Somercotes depot near Derby has undergone a major refurbishment with new rack ends, racking, energy efficient lighting and state-of-the art refrigeration installed across the depot.

The FWD has revealed the running order of money-off deals to help drive footfall into independent shops during National Independents’ Week.

Booker chief executive Charles Wilson attacked the hypocrisy of the major multiples and slammed the banks in his presentation to the FWD Annual Conference, but he also praised manufacturers for their continuing innovation.

There were contrasting results for two wholesalers who were candidates in the General Election.

Makro has abandoned its purely cash and carry model with the launch of a delivery service for catering customers which it plans to roll-out to its entire 30-store estate.

Palmer and Harvey is investing strongly in its Mace symbol group and is aiming for a membership of around 2,000 stores, according to marketing director Richard Hayhoe.

Booker has lowered the price on more than 40 grocery products. They range from Heinz Baked Beanz through to Lynx Deodorant Body Spray, and Booker says they are the leading products in each category and will help independent retailers offer their customers great value while at the same time making more profit.

Scottish wholesalers have questioned why the Scottish Government failed to disclose information relating to its decision on implementing the tobacco display bans.

Spar and AF Blakemore are gearing up for the Olympics with a revamp of its lorries' livery to promote the convenience retailer's sponsorship of UK Athletics.

Keen readers of Wholesale News over the past six years cannot have failed to have been aware of the My Shop is Your Shop campaign.

Today's Group is about to launch its new model retail concept for its members, managing director Bill Laird has revealed.

Landmark Wholesale has launched a new and exclusive range of value-for-money Spanish table wines for its retail customers.

'Emerging Stronger' was the theme for this year's annual conferences for Budgens and Londis retailers, organised by Musgrave Retail Partners GB.

McCormick (UK) and RH Amar & Co, importer and distributor of fine foods, have signed an agreement which will see 40 products from McCormicks' Schwartz retail range available for the first time in the speciality, cash and carry and independent wholesale sectors.

Country Range has launched a range of cake, bread and pastry mixes.

Sharp-eyed exhibitors at last month's Pro-retail show thought they had spotted a real scoop when they noticed Makro's commercial director, Allard Sjollema, being shown around by Palmer and Harvey's managing director commercial, Peter Austen.

Job title: foodservice controller

Landmark Wholesale has recruited three new members of staff.

Parfetts Cash and Carry has promoted two employees to senior roles in the company.

Martin Brown has joined Whitakers Chocolates as national foodservice sales manager.

Mark Windebank, managing director of Northern Irish wholesaler Savage & Whitten, was awarded the Life President's Award at Today's Group's annual Wholesale Member & Supplier Awards 2010.

Confex held its first trade show last month, offering its members the chance to discuss business with the suppliers who attended.

The Sweet Charity held its annual Candy Ball last month and raised over £240,000.

If you went to buy a bottle of wine and were confronted with a limited range of bottles, you might be a little bit disappointed. In fact you might not go there again. For certain categories, making the choice is part of the fun and this certainly applies to confectionery. Stores that offer an exciting and comprehensive range of confectionery are generally receiving a welcome boost to their profits.

Looking at damages for delay in the completion of a new warehouse or distribution facility, the law relating to damages is not always obvious, so here are some definitions to shed some light.

Drinksummit, the annual beer, wines and spirits conference organised by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 1989 and is now seen as the agenda-setting event in the wholesale channel's drinks calendar.

Over the past two months we have looked in these articles at the creation of Vision and Mission statements as part of defining where your business wants to get to, and the purpose for it being in existence. We will now turn to creating a Strategy, designed specifically to support the long-term development and success of your business.

Bernard Matthews Foodservice has launched Cooked Sliced Turkey Breast in Stock.

Tilda is offering the chance to win a trip to Italy.

Pritchitts believes that caterers will be unable to taste the different between its Millac Classic Milk Powder and fresh milk.

Bakehouse has launched a new range of pastries under the name Patisse.

Unilever Foodsolutions has launched new Hellmann's Vinaigrettes as a two-phase authentic vinaigrette.

Soft drinks are consumed all year round whether eating out, taking part in a sporting event, with breakfast or on the go. Not surprisingly the weather can play a big part in soft drink consumption and the soft drink producers, wholesalers and independents alike are holding their breath for a good summer.

Bread is the second most purchased item in convenience stores after milk, according to a new YouGov SixthSense report on local shopping. In a survey of 1,469 shoppers undertaken in February, YouGov found that 55% were buying bread from their local store (68% were buying milk).

While tobacco, alcohol and impulse are the three biggest categories in the wholesale channel, research suggests petfood is also a valuable category for wholesalers' customers.

Coca-Cola Enterprises has launched an on-pack promotion to win a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

PepsiCo has added a new flavour to its Walkers Red Sky range.

Cadbury is launching bitesized Crunchies into its bitesized range this month.

JTI has taken on board comments from a number of retailers and is making 25g packs of B&H Rolling Tobacco available in half outers (5 x 25g).

Ferrero has announced the winners of its Face of Kinder promotion.

Nestlé is introducing a new Nescafé Gold Blend couple.

Procter & Gamble has launched a multi-brand promotion to give consumers the chance to win football freebies.

Marlboro has launched a new pack design for its Gold range and added a new variant to its Marlboro Bright Leaf range.

TCD Foods has introduced a range of Tree Can't Dance exotic marinade bags.

Australian wine brand Rosemount is targeting football widows with a summer-themed campaign across its portfolio of wines entitled 'Give Football the Yellow Card'.

Gaymers has announced a £5m music marketing campaign for 2010, which builds on its profile in this area.

Disaronno has announced the launch of a new national advertising campaign, which will include a first ever burst of summer TV advertising.

ICB is introducing a 50% extra free promotion on its schnapps brand Cactus Jack's

Halewood International has announced a repositioning strategy and redesign for its Caribbean Twist brand.

Stella Artois has unveiled its latest environmental initative, a lightweight bottle, which will be launched with a limited edition label and promoted with an eco on-pack promotion.

ICB has extended the range of its Sambuxo Original aniseed liqueur brand by adding Black (liquorice), Cherry, and Blackcurrant variants.

Halewood International is set to invest heavily in advertising for its Sidekick brand after a major re-design and repositioning strategy.

Whyte & Mackay has introduced whisky and cola pre-mixed in a 250ml can with an ABV of 4.5%.

More than £500,000 is being spent on the launch of Carnaby Brown, a 5.5% ABV, fruity, gently sparkling drink targeted at 20-30 year old women.

Musgrave Retail Partners GB managing director Phil Smith has been elected chairman of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors at its annual general meeting.

The Bestway has extended its own label brand, Best-in, to include a new range of cereals for kids.

DBC Foodservice has launched a fresh fruit and vegetable range to complement its existing fresh, chilled, ambient and frozen ranges.