Independent retailers have welcomed Bestway Wholesale’s new van sales operation as a convenient way to get stock into their stores. 

The wholesaler is to make the service available to retailers on 22 January in an attempt to fill the supply gap caused by the collapse of Palmer & Harvey (P&H) at the end of November 2017. 

Once in operation, the service aims to serve more than 20,000 retailers every fortnight using more than 180 vans acquired from P&H. 

Haresh Karia, of Best-one Harvil Road Post Office, near Uxbridge, said: “I see this as a positive, depending on the cost of products available.

“It makes running the store more convenient as we won’t have to go back and forth to the warehouse and leave the shop during busy periods.”

Suenita Keshwara, of Costcutter Kirton, in Lincolnshire, added the service would benefit owners who cannot leave their shops during opening hours.    

Bestway Wholesale MD Martin Race said: “This move will reinforce our ability to offer further support and supply customers.”