Country Range Group: Direction for 2026 and beyond
BUYING GROUPS
Martin Ward, Country Range Group chief executive, explains how they plan to help their members to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead
With ten new members joining the Country Range Group (CRG) over the past two years, our success has been driven by the hard work, efficiencies and discipline of the entire Group. Together, we’ve worked tirelessly to successfully onboard and integrate these businesses, strengthening how we operate and raising standards across the board. This collective effort has reinforced how we operate, helping us become more structured and aligned than ever before.
Surpassing our £1bn turnover target two years ahead of plan was a significant milestone. However, as a buying group, we take even greater pride in growing our collective purchasing power to over £370m, up 24% on 2024, reinforcing the value we deliver through collaboration and scale.
These achievements are a direct reflection of the commitment and hard work of our members and clearly demonstrate the increasing strength, confidence and momentum across the Group.
As we look ahead, we’ll be finalising our next strategic roadmap this spring. In the meantime, we have an exciting programme of product launches, solutions, promotions, events and digital campaigns planned – all designed to support our members and help chefs, caterers and foodservice operators navigate both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
UNRIVALLED OWN BRANDS
Our own brand portfolio continues to set the standard in foodservice, offering an unrivalled combination of choice, quality and value. With ranges including Country Range, Signature by Country Range, Country Range Professional, Catering Essentials and the newly launched Clean Range Pro, our members benefit from a comprehensive and market-leading offer that meets the evolving needs of foodservice operators.
Our combined own brand portfolio now consists of over 700 products and saw sales in excess of £170 million in 2025, an increase of 21% against 2024. This year, we are set to deliver an exciting programme of new product development bringing fresh innovation and added value to meet the evolving needs of caterers.
BEYOND BUYING
Through our wide-ranging events, Stir it up magazine, digital channels, Group takeover promotions, recipe inspiration and bespoke industry guides on key topics such as Food Waste and Catering for Dementia, our strategic communications are designed to help our members better support their customers, while providing suppliers with powerful, targeted opportunities to showcase their brands to caterers.
Together, these platforms strengthen connections across the supply chain, deliver practical value and ensure the right products, insights and solutions reach foodservice operators where they matter most.
NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS, DRIVING GROWTH
Our events continue to deliver significant value, bringing members and suppliers together to strengthen relationships, celebrate success, drive innovation, support customers and share best practice. Our annual Exhibition and Conference, Business Development Days, own brand roadshows and our renowned ‘An Evening with…’ awards evening are at the heart of our collaborative spirit. This year’s schedule is busier than ever and is already underway following our highly successful January Business Development Days at Doncaster Racecourse.
GIVING BACK
As a Group, we are committed to giving back to communities, promoting sustainable and ethical practices and supporting the future of the foodservice sector.
In recent years, we have raised over £75,000 for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, supported Bikes Against Bombs MAG cycle challenges and proudly sponsor the Springboard FutureChef competition, engaging thousands of students and schools. Our partnership with ClimatePartner is also driving sustainability initiatives, helping our members to reduce their environmental impact while shaping a responsible, forward-thinking foodservice industry.
COUNTRY RANGE GROUP IN NUMBERS
- 17 members
- 19 wholesalers
- Servicing over 47,000 customers a month
- Making over 375,000 deliveries a month – up 58%*
- Annual sales value of own brand portfolios – £170m with a target to reach £250m by 2030
- Group turnover in 2025: £1.2bn – up 24%*
- Collective purchasing in 2025: £370m – up 24%*
- 57 depots across the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Portugal and Spain
- Over 700 own brand products
- 8816 employees: Telesales 201, Field Sales 355
(*Against 2024)
“We joined the Country Range Group in 2024 and it’s honestly been the best decision we have made in a long time. The buying power, professionalism, energy, innovation, sharing of best practice and its leading own brand portfolio has helped take our offering and service to new levels.“
Steve Ainger, Managing Director, First Choice Foodservice
