Monday 22nd April 2013
Fresh, Chilled and Frozen Deliveries to Best-one Retailers
Today sees the launch of Bestway/Batleys receiving and delivering orders of fresh, chilled, frozen foods and ice cream to Best-one retailers.
Starting in Gillingham and covering the whole of the south-east, the range will consist of over 700 products across these increasingly important categories to the convenience shopper. “Chilled foods now account for up to one in three purchases in convenience and this is set to increase further as cash-strapped shoppers change their shopping habits because of their busy lifestyles” says Ross Halliday, Bestway Direct’s trading manager
James Hall, Group Director of Symbol commented “For the first time Best-one retailers will be able to order all their requirements from us. It allows us to directly control our range, pricing and deliveries rather than have to rely on third-party suppliers – all of whom are also our competitors – to do the job for us. It’ll also mean we can target higher-spending retailers in other symbol groups who, up until now, were reluctant to join us because we weren’t able to meet their needs in these categories” he says.
Ross continues “virtually every Best-one retailer I’ve met has some complaint about the service provided by their current suppliers of chilled and frozen foods. We wanted to offer a solution that sought to meet retailers and shoppers needs. For example, because the stock is being picked from the depots we’re able to offer 80% of the range in singles – no other wholesaler can offer this and means retailers order only what they need so keeping their wastage to a minimum – the most important consideration they have” he continues.
“Putting this project together has been a real challenge” says James, “colleagues from functions across the group have willingly made their expertise available and without whom we wouldn’t be in the position we find ourselves - ready to go! I’d like to thank everyone involved in what’s likely to be the most important project Bestway Direct has undertaken since it started 11 years ago” he concludes.