News and Trends

Bestway’s swoop on Sainsbury’s has fuelled speculation of a reverse takeover – a further sign of the sector’s growing influence on grocery Until the pandemic struck, the wholesale sector was still feeling the fallout of the last great deal in 2018 when its biggest fish –  Booker  – was netted by  Tesco , the UK’s biggest retailer. Back then there was regular speculation that Tesco’s rival supermarkets would look to do similar deals by snapping up leading  wholesalers  or buying groups. Had anyone suggested that a big wholesaler could instigate a play for a big supermarket, the idea would have been dismissed out of hand. Not any more.  Bestway , now the UK’s third-biggest wholesaler, fuelled exactly that kind of speculation last month by acquiring a 4.4% stake in Sainsbury’s for around £270m. While industry experts believe a takeover is an unlikely prospect, the very fact that it is on manoeuvres shows something is afoot. Because while Bestway has yet to ful...

Namnew, 1st February 2023 Just days after acquiring a 3.45% stake in Sainsbury’s, Bestway has caused further speculation as to its true intentions after upping its shareholding to 4.47%. Last week, Bestway described its move as an investment and not a step towards making a takeover offer for Sainsbury’s. However, Bestway did say it may look to make further market purchases of Sainsbury’s shares, subject to availability and price. It was  later revealed  that Dawood Pervez, the wholesaler’s Managing Director and son of the company’s founder, was advised to make a bid for Sainsbury’s less than a year ago. Colin Graves, the founder of the Costcutter symbol group now owned by Bestway, said he had talked about a takeover offer for Sainsbury’s during a meeting with Pervez. He is quoted by The Telegraph as saying: “Bestway’s stakebuilding in Sainsbury’s did not come as a complete surprise to me. “I had dinner with [Bestway Wholesale managing director] Dawood Pervez 10 months ago and ...

 Namnews,  26th March 2021 A new study has evidenced that retailers can feel confident that they can stock and sell healthy (low sugar, low calorie) products – and still grow their businesses. That’s the findings from the Bestway Good Food Wholesale Initiative launched by Bestway Wholesale, in partnership with the charity Impact on Urban Health, undertaken by consultancy Rice Marketing, and supported by the FWD. The project sits alongside the Government’s current health agenda with the aim to reduce childhood obesity by influencing consumer shopping behaviours. Results from the study published in a report released today show that small and simple changes can have a significant impact on purchasing power, and ultimately on health and wellbeing of the nation. Piloting the study out of its Croydon Depot, Bestway Wholesale developed and marketed a Healthier Options range, ensuring strong availability of those products whilst making changes to its pricing and promotional activity, ...

  www.talkingretail.com A Bestway Wholesale study has shown convenience retailers can stock and sell healthy products and grow their business. The Bestway Good Food Wholesale Initiative, launched in partnership with charity Impact on Urban Health and undertaken by consultancy Rice Marketing, sits alongside the government’s current health agenda that aims to reduce childhood obesity. The study shows that small and simple changes can have a significant impact on purchasing power and ultimately on the health and wellbeing of the nation. Piloting the study out of its Croydon depot, Bestway Wholesale proactively developed and marketed a Healthier Options range, ensuring strong availability of those products while making changes to its pricing and promotional activity, increasing shelf labelling, and encouraging merchandising options for its retailers. The report shows that the volume sales of the Healthier Options...

Namnews, 17th March 2021 After its acquisition by Bestway was completed last month, Costcutter has confirmed that its supply contract with independent convenience store operator SimplyFresh will continue and run for a minimum of two years. The new agreement continues the existing partnership between the two businesses, which began in 2009. It aims to support SimplyFresh as it accelerates plans to develop its existing chain and attract new retailers into the symbol group. The latest arrangement will also include Costcutter’s team expanding the day to day support and management that it currently provides directly to SimplyFresh retailers. Dawood Pervez, Managing Director at Bestway Wholesale, said: “The continuation of this partnership is great news for all parties, especially SimplyFresh retailers who will continue to benefit from the expertise of both brands to help them meet the needs and expectations of today’s modern convenience shoppers.” Mike Hollis, Retail Director at Costcutter,...

  Namnews, 3rd November 2020 Bestway Wholesale is introducing Taggstar, an innovative tool for social proof messaging, to its website. The group stated that the tool brings increased functionality with the ability to enhance conversion whilst supporting its customers’ individual search requirements. Managing Director for Bestway Wholesale, Dawood Perez, said: “This is just one of the many tools that we are looking to bring on board to drive the digital experience further in line with our customers changing buying needs and as smart technology advancement develops making engagement easier, more personal to the user, and more commonplace in day-to-day trading. “Benefits of the new digital feature include increased conversion rates and revenue through recreating the social buzz and personal interaction of the physical store. “We are at an early stage of testing but so far, we are deeply encouraged by early adoption and indicators are that increasing numbers of customers are staying wi...