Unitas is working with a procurement provider and logistics company DHL to help its wholesale members pass cost savings and improve availability for retailers.
Speaking to Better Retailing at the wholesale group’s annual Connect 24 conference last week, managing director John Kinney said Unitas had partnered with Auditel to help its wholesalers save money on a number of services.
He added: “We want to help our members look at how they can pass savings on their customers. Working with Auditel, we’re finding cheaper solutions to energy, fuel and stationery.
“We’re seeing some big savings. United Wholesale Scotland is saving up to £20,000 per month.”
Other members of Unitas include Blakemore, Parfetts, Dhamecha, Filshill, Dee Bee and Lioncroft Wholesale.
Meanwhile, Kinney confirmed Unitas was also working with DHL to help its members improve availability. He added: “We’ve been working with DHL to do some cost modelling as part of a supply-chain-optimisation project.
“We’re looking at order forecasting and demand planning, through to the physical movement of stock.
“DHL is helping us understand opportunities and shape whether we go through a central distribution route or not.”
The event also included a briefing with suppliers, where Kinney urged brands to continue giving “great value” to independent retailers, especially to help stores compete with discounters. He told Better Retailing: “Our drive this year is that we continue the message on giving great value to independent retailers.
“We’ve had a year of extremely high cost price increases. Business costs have also increased, so we’ve asked suppliers to ensure retail is not out of online with the discounters and multiples. Inflation will have dropped, but not pricemarked packs (PMPs).
“We know consumers want value and we want to ensure we’ll deliver that with strong value through our Local Living own label and third-party brands, as well great value PMPs and strong promotional activity.”
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