Bestway Wholesale is celebrating 40 years in the wholesale business in 2016 since its first cash & carry depot in Acton opened in 1976.
Extensive 40th Anniversary branding will feature in each of the company’s 60 Bestway and Batleys depots throughout the new year.
The anniversary year will begin with a Best-in promotion throughout January where retailers can drive away in a brand new family car by buying Best-in juices. This will be followed in February with the launch of the group’s first ever reward card for customers.
Younus Sheikh, managing director and founding member of Bestway Wholesale, commented, “The wholesale business has changed dramatically over the years. In the beginning it was all about piling high and selling cheap to independent retailers and cafes. Now it is more about shifting perceptions rather than shifting boxes.
'Although cash & carry is still a major part of the business, delivered wholesale plays a major part with sales of over £650m per annum.
'The past 40 years has seen the company evolve into a truly national cross-sector wholesaler but has never lost sight of our mission of Building Business for the Independent.”
The group plans to focus on its three pillars of catering, symbol & club and web & digital during 2016.
Sales through the 4,050 Best-one and Xtra Local affiliated stores have continued to increase despite a fall in store numbers.
Bestway will continue to focus on chilled and fresh in 2016 and on Best-one’s rebate scheme, My Rewards, which offers members up to 5% cashback on purchases.
In digital, Bestway Wholesale plans more retailer personalisation through its website and mobile app.
Sheikh added, “Forty years ago, Sir Anwar Pervez established Bestway as a fledgling wholesaler in London to give better prices and service to small shop owners. Our mission from day one was to build business for independents and now, 40 years on, the group is proud to serve over 200,000 customers from large local authorities to small kiosks form our 63 depots nationwide.
'As a business, we have come along way but there is still great headroom for growth and we will be fully focused on this in our 40th anniversary year.”