Unitas Wholesale is giving retailers a voice higher up the supply chain on issues such as availability through its ‘supplier council’.

The newly formed council’s aim is to provide its 14 supplier members feedback on issues experienced by Unitas’ retailers and wholesalers. Members on the council include AB InBev, Boost Drinks, Britvic, Heineken, JTI, KP Snacks, Nestlé Cereal Partners, Nestlé, Premier Foods, RH Amar, SHS, Treasury Wines and Weetabix. 

John Kinney, Unitas Wholesale retail director, told RN the council will give the company more opportunity to hold suppliers to account. “The council offers a two-way process for us to break down the barriers between our customers and the suppliers,” he said.

“Using data on availability from our wholesalers and retailers is key. For example, we can use information from our members to see if their availability matches a supplier’s claims. We can use this input to try and resolve the issues, if not.”

Unitas Wholesale, which was formed with the merger of Today’s Group and Landmark Wholesale last year, uses its combined scale to negotiate improved supplier deals for retailers.

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