Lumina Intelligence has released the Wholesale Online Report 2023, revealing key insights into the digital landscape for wholesalers and suppliers. The report indicates that the majority of online sessions are purely browsing, with 4 in 5 online users not adding anything to their baskets. This highlights an opportunity for disrupting the digital journey through push notifications and personalised ads. The report also found that retailers are more likely to browse using websites, while using apps to add items to their baskets. This presents an opportunity for targeting and engaging with retailers through app-exclusive promotions. Retailers were also found to spend more time browsing than foodservice operators.

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The latest Wholesale Market report from Lumina Intelligence indicates that attracting and recruiting staff is a challenge for 68% of wholesale businesses. Brexit workforce migration, low paying sectors and increased competition exacerbated by the pandemic are named leading reasons behind the current staff challenges. Operators across different segments of the supply chain are investing in the future of staffing and the Federation Of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has lobbied the government for more international labour. The FWD has also created the Future Leaders Forum, bringing together up-and-coming leaders within the sector to develop talent and benefit the industry. Some F&B businesses have focused on inclusivity and training to tackle staff challenges.

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Hundreds of workers delivering food to some of Britain's best loved eatery brands begin voting on strike action today (28 October). The Bestfood Logistics workers, who deliver fresh food to the likes of Pizza Express, KFC, Zizzi, Burger King, Wagamama and Pizza Hut, have rejected a six per cent pay offer, which would amount to a real terms pay cut this year and into next. The ballot will run until 18 November, with the result coming later that day. Any industrial action could well leave many household name restaurants short in the run up to Christmas. Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said, “All these workers want is a pay deal that protects them from this crushing cost of living crisis.

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The situation with the impact on food supply due to the Ukraine conflict remains quite unclear, but there could be impacts on certain foods. Frozen white fish, notably: > Alaskan Pollock – Russia has 50% of the total catch in the Baring Straights. > Cod and Haddock – also originate from Russia and if not shipped directly, may come via eastern European countries or China. Fish manufacturers/processors could be severely affected, either indirectly or directly if Russian vessels are unable to be paid. Other foodstuffs which may be impacted are: > Sunflower Oil – Russia accounts for almost 60% of the world production, although our contacts suggest the impact could be some time being seen.

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One of the UK’s biggest business groups, Logistics UK, is urging the Government to expand the terms of its National Skills Fund (NSF) – an initiative to help adults train into new careers – to include level 2 qualifications so British workers can access funding to train as HGV drivers, and other vital roles the logistics industry desperately needs to fill. Writing in response to the consultation on the Fund – where the Government is seeking views on the scheme’s effectiveness in filling the skills gap – Alexandra Herdman, Public Policy Manager at Logistics UK, commented, “Logistics UK is urging the Government to open up its National Skills Fund to include level 2 qualifications and to be more flexible in its rules to enable British workers to access funding to train into vital logistics roles.

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The number of temporary delivery drivers available for shifts has fallen by over a quarter as thousands return to their pre-pandemic professions in hospitality and retail1, according to Indeed Flex, the online marketplace for flexible workers. Delivery jobs were a lifeline for many jobseekers during lockdown, as the UK’s hospitality and non-essential retail businesses closed and consumers did more online shopping than ever before. However, data from Indeed Flex shows the number of temporary drivers available for work in June was 28.8% down on its March level, with many opting for shifts in the hospitality and retail sectors instead. During the same period, which saw the gradual easing of lockdowns across the UK.

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Today, plans for daily contact testing for the food and drink industries have been outlined by Environment Secretary George Eustice and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have outlined. New targeted testing for certain workplaces is being rolled out - with the food industry prioritised, as part of the government’s close engagement with the sector. At a roundtable with supermarket leaders yesterday (Thursday 22 July), the government committed to putting in place actions to support the resilience of the food supply chain. Following clinical trial results, daily contact testing will be rolled out to critical workplaces in the food supply chain so that contacts who would otherwise be self-isolating can instead take daily tests.

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Double digit turnover growth for wholesalers serving the retail market has not offset huge declines in turnover for foodservice wholesalers. Lumina Intelligence’s new UK Wholesale Market Report 2020 indicates that the UK wholesale market has experienced growth of +2.8% in 2020, down from +4.4% in 2019. Despite growth at a total channel level, the story couldn’t be more different beneath the surface, as retail wholesalers face record levels of demand, resulting in strong growth. In comparison, the impact of nationwide lockdowns and other restrictions on the hospitality sector have had a catastrophic impact on the performance of foodservice wholesalers, who have recorded huge turnover declines in 2020.

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Covid-19-related disruption has caused supply difficulties for more than nine in ten hospitality operators since they reopened in July, a new survey by CGA and Prestige Purchasing reveals. It shows that just 8% of operators have escaped supply challenges since the end of the first national lockdown, while only 9% have not encountered any delays. Nearly three quarters (73%) think service levels have decreased since July, while only 5% think they have improved. The findings reflect the complex challenges faced throughout the hospitality supply chain, including widely fluctuating demand as a result of local lockdowns and new restrictions. But the survey also shows how suppliers have been working hard to mitigate the worst of the difficulties for hospitality businesses.

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The Government has announced plans to build up to 10 additional inland border sites to cope with Brexit congestion and border checks. These will operate from 1 January 2021. As part of a £705m government investment fund, new infrastructure will be put in place at Ebbsfleet International Station in Kent, North Weald Airfield in Essex and Warrington in the north-west. A 27-acre lorry park in Ashford, which can accommodate 2,000 vehicles, is also planned. Two further sites, Thames Gateway and Birmingham, could handle Transit procedures, including 'passport for goods' checks. Additional potential sites could be in place by July next year in Holyhead, Fishguard or Pembroke and Dover. Dave Howorth.

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The number of senior level women working in UK foodservice and grocery wholesale has increased from 11% to 17%*over the past three years – a 55% increase. An exclusive HIM & MCA Insight study, commissioned by Women in Wholesale (WiW), has investigated the progress that’s been made since the launch of the WiW initiative in 2016, which supports women working in wholesale with educational networking events, sponsorships and coaching. Wholesalers and buying groups that have successfully boosted their female leadership teams include Sugro, Musgrave, Reynolds, Country Range, CJ Lang, Blakemore, Birchall and Booker. The exclusive research also revealed changes in the ‘key barriers to progress’ that were cited by women two years ago (HIM & WiW Report 2017).

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Woman in Wholesale (WiW) is inviting talented individuals and teams to step up and be counted with the launch of its first STAR Awards. The awards will cover five categories: Best Initiative to Retain and Develop Talent; Best Inclusive Leader; Woman of the Year; Best Newcomer, and Best Marketing Campaign, to be presented at the 4th WiW Conference on 10 October in London. “WiW is delighted to be launching the WiW STAR Awards. One of the best paths to progression is through peer recognition and this is a great way to showcase outstanding talent throughout the industry,” says WiW founder Elit Rowland. Two of the awards (Best Inclusive Leader and Best Newcomer) are open to both men and women and will celebrate e those who have championed diversity throughout their business.

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Women in Wholesale (WiW) is sharing its tools, resources and knowledge to support sister organisations like Meat Business Women to help attract more females into male-heavy industries. WiW founder, Elit Rowland, said, “It’s important to have diversity up and down the supply chain – and that means supporting organisations that supply to, and buy from, wholesalers, too.” “Meat Business Women (MBW) is one of the first events that inspired Women in Wholesale – both initiatives have the same goals, so it made sense to help each other.” WiW provided MBW with the briefing packs needed to launch their first Speed Networking event. Laura Ryan, Chair and Founder of Meat Business Women, said, “I’m hugely proud that MBW went some way to inspiring Women in Wholesale.

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Technology providers were hailed for driving the most change in the supply chain sector at the 15th SCALA Annual Supply Chain Debate. The debate, which discussed who is driving developments in supply chain and customer service - retailers, brand owners, logistics companies or technology providers – found that technology companies were the main enablers of change, through innovations such as automation and robotics – with 56% of delegates agreeing. This was followed by retailers 25% and brand owners 14%. In contrast, 49% of attendees argued that logistics companies need to do more to drive positive changes in the sector. Over 150 senior industry professionals gathered at the stunning Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire to hear esteemed speakers including Clare Bottle of Coca-Cola European Partners.

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The Women in Wholesale (WiW) conference took place this week with the mission to support the development and progress of females working in UK grocery wholesale. Almost 200 wholesalers, cash and carries and FMCG brands gathered at the British Library in London for the event, more than double last year’s attendance. Country Range MD, Coral Rose, and Immediate Impact Director, Clare Bocking, chaired sessions on talent attraction and retention strategy together with talks on negotiation, how to network, inclusive leadership and how to be bolder in business. The Federation of Wholesale Distributors announced that it has joined forces with flexible-working experts Timewise to launch a flexible working pilot in wholesale.

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In its role as the wholesale distribution industry's voice in Westminster, the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) regularly makes representations to Government on issues that affect its members and the 400,000 small businesses supplied and supported by the sector, as well as being in regular dialogue and meetings with ministers, MPs and officials. It is also tasked by its members to promote the wholesale channel to supplier companies and the wider world. Here follows the key activity performed on behalf of members in 2015: FWD’s year began with an urgent request from Defra to assess distributors’ problems with severe weather conditions. It acts as the main contact between members and Government on threat to the food supply chain.

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Scotland’s wholesalers must adapt the way they do business to keep apace with ever-changing and evolving trends in the marketplace. That was one of the key messages from Asim Sarwar, president of the Scottish Wholesale Association, in his opening presentation at the trade body’s annual conference at Crieff. Addressing an audience of industry leaders from across Scotland and the UK, Sarwar said, “In any business – and, indeed, any trade association – progress cannot come without evolution. It’s about understanding what our members’ customers want – whether they are retailers, caterers or other hospitality providers. “We need to do much, much more to understand our customers,” he continued.

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The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has said that wholesalers should use best before dates in order to guarantee quality, freshness and food safety, as there is currently no legal requirement for eggs to have a best before date. The group noted that many eggs sold by wholesaler, including those that are imported, often do not display a date on the shell and are stocked on keyes trays, raising concerns about how operators can accurately identify the freshness of the eggs they are purchasing. Chairman of the BEIC Andrew Joret, said, “The lack of best-before dates on egg shells within some wholesalers represents a significant due diligence risk for caterers as well as a potential food safety risk for consumers.

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According to the latest CBI Quarterly Distributive Trades Survey, food & drink wholesalers have seen an impressive growth of 43% in comparison to last year's figure. The survey shows that retailers expect a faster rise in sales next month, and expect their business situation to improve over the coming quarter. However, grocers saw a slower annual rise in retail sales in May, driving overall sales growth lower. Despite that, growth in this sector remained strong overall. Internet retail sales also rose robustly, according to the survey, but at the slowest pace since June 2013. Barry Williams, chair of the CBI Distributive Trades Survey Panel and Asda SVP and chief merchandising officer for food.

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Latest research from business and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton reveals that deal volumes rose significantly across the food and beverage (F&B) sector in Q1 2014, signalling a convincing start and an increasingly positive outlook for the year ahead. Underpinned by the attractiveness of UK assets to foreign buyers, deal volumes increased by a third compared to the fourth and first quarters last year. The number of deals featuring overseas buyers jumped by 71% in Q1 2014 compared with the previous quarter and by 100% on the same three month period last year. Notable deals included US-based firm Gores Group paying £30 million for a 51% stake in Premier Foods’ bakery business – which includes the Hovis brand – and fellow US business Chiquita Brands International acquiring Dublin-based fresh produce wholesaler Fyffes.

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