The UK’s leading wholesalers have increased their collective profitability over the last 12 months, The Grocer can reveal.
In our annual ranking of the country’s Big 30 wholesalers, the combined profit margin for the businesses on our list increased from 1.5% to 1.9%. The companies grew their total sales by 2.4% to £28.7bn while pre-tax profits were up an impressive 8.1% to £544.1m.
Booker held its position as the UK’s biggest wholesaler by turnover - a position it is unlikely to give up soon as its £4.75bn sales - based on latest available accounts for the year to 27 March 2015 - do not factor in last year’s takeover of the loss-making Budgens and Londis business from Musgrave.
“We are really pleased to be named the biggest wholesaler again,” said Booker CEO Charles Wilson. “We are pleased with how the year has gone and are growing sales to our caterers and retailers.
“The Musgrave deal gives us a stronger offer for retailers, helping them prosper.”
The deal meant Musgrave GB dropped off the Big 30 list this year.
Its removal made room for one new entry in the form of Kitwave.
The Newcastle-based business was founded in 1987 by CEO Paul Young, but has seen rapid growth in the last few years as a result of an aggressive acquisitions strategy on the back of an investment of cash from private equity house NVM. Kitwave entered our list at number 15 this year with sales of £228m. It is understood that Young harbours ambitions to increase turnover to £500m over the next few years.
Strong growth was also recorded by Costco and Blakemore. This year’s Big 30 wholesalers collectively employ 81,339 staff in the UK, compared with 76,370 last year.
No comments yet