What Nabco does

Nabco Direct Ltd. (trading as Nabco) is a UK-based independent provider of retail shopfitting products and accessories, founded in 1989 and headquartered in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The company operates as the exclusive authorised distributor of Modern Expo products across the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying a comprehensive portfolio that includes the SG50 50mm pitch shelving system (described as the most widely used standard shelving format across the UK), 25mm KM and FS shelving systems, CO₂ and R290 energy-efficient refrigeration, modular checkout counters, parcel lockers (Loko Logis for click & collect and Loko Ecologis solar-powered for off-grid operation), the AI-assisted Conveniq Pro micromarket, and warehouse racking solutions (push-back, drive-in, shuttle, gravity).

Nabco primarily serves convenience retailers, symbol groups (Costcutter, Nisa, SPAR, Premier, Budgens), co-operative societies (East of England Co-op, Your Co-op), forecourt operators (Shell, BP), enterprise retailers (Morrisons Daily, Holland & Barrett), and specialty independents (Planet Organic, individual butchers). Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales, distribution margins on Modern Expo products, and project-based fit-out services including analysis, design consultation, and project management. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led with direct engagement of shopfitters, designers, architects, and store owners, supported by a sustained presence at major industry events (EuroShop, ACS dinners, Refuel Forum, Bestway Retail Showcase, Asian Trader Awards), an e-commerce storefront at shop.nabcouk.com, and joint go-to-market with Modern Expo. Under new leadership since November 2021, the company has reported 27% annual revenue growth and expanded both its team and product surface into adjacent categories such as vape displays, sustainable parcel lockers, and unattended micromarkets.

Name

Nabco

Legal name

Nabco Direct Ltd.

Website

https://nabcouk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nabco Direct Ltd. is a UK-based independent provider and exclusive authorised distributor of Modern Expo retail shopfitting products—shelving, refrigeration, checkouts, parcel lockers, and micromarkets—serving convenience retailers, symbol groups, co-operatives, forecourt operators, and specialty retailers across the UK and Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Fixturing & Shopfitting Equipment

NAICS

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385)

SIC

Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Office, School & Business Supplies Online Retailers (CRAFADAL)

Keywords

• Retail shelving systems
• Shopfitting equipment
• Retail refrigeration
• Parcel lockers
• Warehouse racking

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Equipment Sales: Direct sale of retail shelving, refrigeration, checkouts, parcel lockers, and display equipment to retailers and shopfitters. Products are sold as complete solutions with customization options. Revenue is generated through one-time product purchases.
2. Distribution Services: As authorised distributor of Modern Expo products in UK & Ireland, Nabco generates revenue through distribution margins on shelving systems and other retail equipment sourced from Modern Expo.
3. Project and Installation Services: Customised retail solutions including analysis, design consultation, and project management for store transformations. Services provided alongside product sales for complete retail fit-outs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nabco distributes and supplies retail equipment to UK and Irish retailers and shopfitters. As the authorised distributor of Modern Expo products in UK & Ireland, the company offers a complete retail solution encompassing shelving systems, refrigeration/chillers, checkout counters, parcel lockers, micromarkets, vape display units, and warehouse racking solutions. Products are complemented by design consultation, customisation, project management, and installation coordination services.

Product overview

Nabco is a UK-based retail solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of retail shelving, refrigeration, checkout, and warehouse racking products. The core product lines include the SG50 50mm pitch shelving system (the standard system across the UK), 25mm KM and FS shelving systems, warehouse pallet racking solutions (Push-back, Drive-in, Gravity, Pull-out, Shuttle systems), and Mini Rack solutions. The refrigeration offering encompasses chillers, freezers, food counters (PROMOS, Quadros), and beverage display units. Nabco also provides micromarket solutions (Conveniq Pro), parcel lockers (Loko Logis, Loko Ecologis), checkout systems (Checkout Line, Express, Belted), and specialised accessories for bakery, fruit & veg, cigarettes, and vape displays (TRISYL). The complete retail solution encompasses checkouts, shelving, chillers, micromarkets, parcel lockers, and specialised racking solutions. As the authorised distributor of Modern Expo products in UK and Ireland, Nabco's offerings are complemented by energy-efficient refrigeration using R290 natural refrigerants and smart IoT-enabled products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SG50 Shelving System The most widely used standard shelving system across the UK, featuring 50mm adjustable shelf spacing for quick installation and high customisability. Compatible with leading UK retailers' existing systems.
• KM System Shelving Robust and flexible 25mm pitch back panel solution for wall units with integrated LED lighting, extensive accessories, and full customisation in colour options.
• Loko Logis Parcel Locker Multifunctional parcel locker with screen and user-friendly interface for click & collect, returns, and courier drop-offs. Modular design with flexible configurations for modern retail environments.
• Loko Ecologis Parcel Locker Next-generation solar-powered parcel locker for sustainable, off-grid operation. Provides delivery convenience in remote locations without traditional infrastructure with up to 5 years of autonomous operation.
• Conveniq Pro Micromarket Smart all-in-one micromarket combining Grab and Go fridge, parcel locker, and premium coffee vending module powered by integrated software with AI-powered image recognition for product tracking and weight-based verification.
• Checkout Line System Modular checkout solution for modern convenience stores integrating counters, refrigerated cabinets, hot-dog modules, and multi-functional rear shelving with LED lighting.
• Belted Checkouts Standard belted checkouts with modular construction blending efficiency, adaptability, and ergonomic design for high-traffic supermarkets and mid-sized retail formats.
• TRISYL Vape Display System Backwall vape display system with shutter closing drawers, RGB frame, LED shelf lighting, and modular promo zones. Built on SG50 framework, fully customisable in colour and configuration.
• PROMOS Food Counter Open access food counter designed for effective display of high-margin and promotional items, using EC fans, natural evaporator defrost, R290 refrigerant and Class E energy efficiency.
• Push-back Pallet Shelving System Combines benefits of gravity, drive-in, and front pallet shelving systems. Designed for medium-speed pallet loads with different cargo types on separate levels, optimising vertical space utilisation.
• Shuttle Pallet Storage System High-efficiency storage solution for pallets with uniform cargo. Pallets moved automatically by robotic shuttle platform enabling precise operations with WMS integration and remote download control.
• Mini Rack Box Gravity Designed for storing and transporting boxes using roller tracks following FIFO principle. Minimises order picking errors and ensures fast, easy selection for warehouse operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27% annual revenue growth achieved in FY2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Royal Mail UKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 February 2025Modern Expo secured partnership with Royal Mail UK to supply state-of-the-art parcel lockers. As exclusive UK distributor of Modern Expo products, Nabco benefits from this relationship as it reinforces the quality and reliability of their parcel locker offerings.
• Franco Shopfitters LtdmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 September 2023Strategic partnership with Franco Group UK company established in 1997. Franco Shopfitters offers comprehensive business solutions including shopfitting, signage, EPOS systems, CCTV, and printing. The partnership enables expanded presence across UK regions through combined expertise in retail equipment supply and installation.
• Future.i (Marketing Agency)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2021Marketing agency partnership providing brand awareness and digital presence support. Contributed to company's growth through strong digital marketing initiatives.
• Modern ExpocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 August 2021Modern Expo is one of the world's largest retail solution manufacturers supplying over 75 countries. Nabco serves as the official authorised distributor of Modern Expo products in the UK and Ireland. The partnership provides access to high-quality European-manufactured shelving, refrigeration, checkouts, and parcel lockers with fast 24-48 hour delivery. Modern Expo operates 9 high-tech production units and 112,000 sqm of manufacturing facilities based on LEAN production principles, certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
• Hertford Shelving LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hertford Shelving Ltd for pet retail solutions exhibition at PATS 2025. Combined offering of shelving displays and energy-efficient chillers for pet sector retailers.
• TANSUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at Asian Trader Awards event alongside Modern Expo and Paul Cheema. Industry collaboration for retail excellence recognition.
• GNEXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with GNEX introducing revolutionary retail concept with innovative beer cave and modern shelving at Premier Store in Ashford.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shopkit Group: UK-based retail display and shop-fitting specialist serving convenience, supermarket, and forecourt retailers. Most direct UK comparable to Nabco on product mix (shelving, counters, displays) and target customers (symbol groups and independents).
• Apex Supply Chain Technologies: Global parcel locker and click-and-collect solution provider competing with Modern Expo's Loko Logis range that Nabco distributes. Highly relevant comparable in the parcel-locker category that is one of Nabco's newer growth vectors.
• Pollard Displays: UK-based retail display and shop-fitting supplier with overlapping customer base in UK convenience and symbol-group retail. Direct competitor for shelving and display fit-out contracts in the same geographies Nabco serves.
• Tegometall International: Swiss/German shelving system manufacturer offering standard and bespoke retail shelving comparable to Nabco's SG50 and KM product lines. Competes for UK symbol-group fit-out business on price and modularity.

Broad incumbents

• HMY Group: European retail equipment manufacturer (parent of Tegometall) supplying shelving, checkout, and store-fitting solutions across multiple geographies. Comparable to Nabco in core product categories but operates at significantly larger scale with manufacturing ownership.
• Wanzl: German-headquartered global leader in retail equipment, shop fitting, and material handling. Overlaps directly with Nabco on shelving, checkout, and trolley/customer-flow solutions for retail and convenience formats, but operates a much broader portfolio and direct presence across multiple continents.
• Madix Inc. US-headquartered manufacturer of retail shelving, merchandisers, and store fixtures with global distribution. Comparable in shelving technology and modular-system approach to Nabco's SG50, but with substantially larger scale and direct manufacturer economics.
• Lozier Corporation: US-based manufacturer of retail fixtures, shelving, and gondola systems serving mass-market and convenience retail. Overlaps with Nabco on shelving and store-fixture categories, with broader product depth and North-American manufacturing scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Nabco_UK
• Facebookfacebook.com/NabcoUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nabco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nabco