Bestway has held talks with representatives of easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou but is not about to start supplying his easyFoodstore, The Grocer understands.

Haji-Ioannou said easyFoodstore would consist of small stores selling unbranded products at low prices, the first of which would open in Croydon in 2015.

A mock-up store was last week unveiled in Croydon featuring products from Booker and Bestway’s value ranges.

According to a report in The Guardian, products stocked in the store included a jar of generic coffee, supplied by Bestway for 70p, which the paper claimed could ultimately retail at 80p.

But The Grocer has learnt although easyFoodstore staff met with Bestway, the wholesaler is unlikely to supply the venture as it views it as competition to its ­independent retailers.

Earlier this year, it slammed rival Booker for supplying the BHS Food concessions, stating: “We have a responsibility to our independent customers to help grow their businesses. The more multiple retailers that enter the high street, the less room there is for independents.”

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