Country Range focusses on mainland UK and Ireland


Country Range Group is changing its business structure to focus solely on wholesalers based in the UK and Ireland

In a statement this week, the Group MD Coral Rose (pictured) said members based in the Channel Islands would no longer be part of the CRG from the end of June this year.

Rose said, “One key reason CRG is so well respected by the foodservice trade is because of our group standards, with suppliers being able to deal with a central office knowing all initiatives will be supported by our members.

'The biggest challenge to meeting group standards is faced by our members in the Channel Islands. The dynamics of the Channel Islands do not support the adherence to a common set of standards, and the Group has decided not to operate with two separate standards as we do not want to compromise on what we can offer our supplier partners.”

The structural change means Valley Foods and Cimandis have resigned from the Group, but will remain full members until their exit at the end of June. Coastline will leave at the end of March, following its recent acquisition by Silverstar.

Added Rose, “Over the last 10 years, we have seen turnover grow from £81m to £400m, largely down to the success of our members’ businesses and our commitment to putting in place products and services that enable members to grow faster and more profitably by being part of Country Range Group.

“Our vision is now to do even more to ensure that UK consumers have diversity of choice when eating out of home and champion the independent caterer via our members by providing a range of products and services that support their business growth, working with key suppliers to actively develop category opportunities.”