Wholesale buying group Confex is developing an own label range for its independent retail customers.

The group is working with food manufacturing specialists Arete Procurement Solutions (APS) on an initial range of 300 lines for launch by the end of January, with the aim of doubling this number by the end of 2021.

Unveiling the plans at the group’s virtual conference last month, Confex managing director Tom Gittins said the own label range will be available nationally. “We’ve never done own brand before. We’ve played around a bit in the past, but we’ve never had a proper strategy,” he added.

The initial range will consist of 157 ambient, 112 frozen, 16 chilled and 69 non-food lines. The non-food lines will include cleaning products. APS procurement director Warren Hamer said: “One area we’ll look at is retail. We’ll see where we get to with that one. The range won’t be entry level, but the products will be good quality.”

The range will also be available to foodservice wholesalers, reflecting the trend of independent retailers purchasing from foodservice wholesalers to fill availability gaps during the pandemic.

APS partner Nick Redford added: “There’s been a blurring of lines between foodservice and retail and this will accelerate. We’ll see more dedicated foodservice wholesalers begin to diversify and stock more retail products.”