The Wholesale Group

What The Wholesale Group does

The Wholesale Group is a UK-based buying and trading group established in 1972 that supports independent wholesalers across the retail and foodservice sectors through a membership-based model. The group provides collective buying power, exclusive own-brand product ranges, tailored marketing solutions, and access to competitive promotional activity from major branded suppliers. It is headquartered in Cheltenham, with a regional office in Huddersfield, and operates with an estimated 11-50 central employees. The Wholesale Group runs an annual events calendar including a Trade Show & Awards Dinner, Foodservice Fair, Annual Conference, and Development & Innovation Day, and in November 2024 acquired Fairway Foodservice to broaden its foodservice footprint.

The group's commercial offering is anchored by a two-tier own-brand portfolio — a signature premium range (including the CHEF Approved sub-brand) for creative menu enhancement and a core range for reliable essentials — supplemented in early 2026 by the Clean Solutions professional hygiene range, which extends the portfolio into non-food categories. The group also operates two digital content assets: Chefs' INSIDER, a free digital magazine for catering professionals featuring recipes, trend content, and supplier spotlights, and Retail BITES, a retail intelligence hub providing planograms, category advice, seasonal guidance, and tech tools for independent retailers. A "Where to Buy" locator portal helps caterers and retailers find member wholesalers.

The Wholesale Group generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring membership fees from independent wholesalers, own-brand product sales (CHEF Approved, Clean Solutions, and core own-brand ranges), and supplier partnership arrangements that connect major branded suppliers — including Coca-Cola, Nestle, Mars Wrigley, Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, Unilever, Premier Foods, Carlsberg Britvic, AG Barr, Kellanova, KP Snacks, Pladis, Swizzles, Walkers, and RH Amar — with the group's distribution network. The company is privately held with no parent, no disclosed funding rounds, and no public listing; it markets through organic social channels, the two content platforms, and its events program.

Name

The Wholesale Group

Legal name

The Wholesale Group

Website

https://thewholesalegroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wholesale Group is a UK membership-based buying and trading group, founded in 1972, that supports independent wholesalers across retail and foodservice with collective buying power, own-brand product ranges, digital content platforms, and supplier partnerships with major branded manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Distribution Services

NAICS

Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers (4244), Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (42449)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Retail-Wholesale Membership Clubs (B2B2C) (CRAEADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foodservice & Hospitality Supply Clubs (Restaurants, Catering, Hotels) (CRAEAEAC)

Keywords

• Wholesale buying group
• Independent wholesale support
• Foodservice distribution
• Own-brand product range
• Wholesale membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheltenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Provides membership opportunities for independent wholesalers to access group benefits including exclusive product ranges, marketing solutions, and competitive promotional activity from top brands.
2. Own-Brand Product Sales: Sells exclusive own-brand product ranges to members and caterers across retail and foodservice sectors.
3. Supplier Partnerships: Connects major branded suppliers (Nestle, Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, Mars Wrigley, Mondelez, etc.) with independent wholesale members through collaborative arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Wholesale Group is a UK membership-based buying and trading group that supports independent wholesalers across retail and foodservice sectors. It provides members with access to exclusive own-brand product ranges (CHEF Approved, Fairway Approved, Clean Solutions), tailored marketing solutions, and competitive promotional activity from major branded suppliers. The group also operates digital content platforms (Chefs' INSIDER and Retail BITES) that deliver industry intelligence, recipes, and trend insights to catering and retail professionals.

Product overview

The Wholesale Group is a wholesale organization serving independent wholesalers across retail and foodservice sectors in the UK. The company operates a platform model bringing together head office expertise, award-winning own-brand products, tailored marketing solutions, and competitive promotional activity. Their own-brand portfolio consists of two tiers: CHEF Approved (signature premium brand for creative, high-quality foodservice products) and a core own-brand range (reliable essentials for consistent performance and value). They distribute through member wholesalers and also offer digital resource platforms including Chefs' INSIDER (for catering professionals) and Retail Bites (for retail professionals). Key product categories span frozen foods, beverages, confectionery, snacks, protein products, bakery items, and professional hygiene solutions through their Clean Solutions range.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Retail BITES: Digital platform providing intelligence, know-how, and connections for retail professionals including articles on products, food trends, what's selling, innovation, planograms, category advice, seasonal planning, tech tools, and marketing guidance.
• Chefs' INSIDER
• Fairway Approved

Products and services

• CHEF Approved Own-Brand Range Premium own-brand food product range designed for chefs and caterers across the UK foodservice sector, providing high-quality products intended to inspire creativity and enhance menus. Distributed via The Wholesale Group's independent wholesale member network.
• Fairway Approved Own-Brand Range Own-brand quality assurance product range featuring essentials such as sauces, chutneys, beer battered onion rings, and mashed potatoes, providing reliable everyday products for foodservice operators and caterers.
• Clean Solutions Professional Hygiene Range Professional hygiene product range designed for hospitality businesses and venues seeking professional-grade hygiene solutions to maintain standards and support operational efficiency.
• Chefs' INSIDER Digital Magazine Free digital content platform and magazine for catering professionals offering articles, recipes, food calendar content, gross profit calculator tools, and trend insights designed to spark creativity and keep food professionals current with industry developments.
• Retail BITES Digital Platform Digital retail intelligence platform providing articles, category advice, planograms, seasonal planning guidance, tech tools, marketing support, sustainability insights, and regulatory information for independent retail professionals.
• Wholesale Group Membership Program Membership program for independent UK wholesalers in retail and foodservice sectors providing access to group head office expertise, exclusive own-brand products, tailored marketing solutions, and competitive promotional activity from top branded suppliers.

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AG BarrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured branded supplier in the group's supplier network, providing branded beverage products to independent wholesale members. AG Barr manufactures and supplies drinks including Irn-Bru and Rubicon.
• Carlsberg BritviccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor branded supplier in the group's portfolio, providing beer and beverage products through independent wholesale distribution channels.
• Coca-ColacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing branded beverages to independent wholesale members. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is a key beverage supplier in the network.
• KellanovacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured branded supplier in the group's supplier network, providing cereal and snack products including Pringles through independent wholesale channels.
• Kerry FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing food and ingredients products through the wholesale network.
• KP SnackscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured branded supplier providing snack products including Hula Hoops and Popchips through independent wholesale members.
• Kraft HeinzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured branded supplier providing sauces, condiments, and food products through the group's wholesale network. Kraft Heinz Masters of the Menu competition is featured.
• Mars WrigleycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing confectionery products including Skittles, M&M's, and Malcolm through independent wholesale distribution.
• MondelezcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured branded supplier providing biscuits and confectionery products including Cadbury and Philadelphia through wholesale channels.
• NestlecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing a wide range of food and beverage products through the group's wholesale network, including confectionery and dairy.
• PladiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing biscuits and confectionery products including McVitie's and Gainsborough through the wholesale network.
• Premier FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing branded food products including Mr. Kipling, Ambrosia, and Bisto through independent wholesale channels.
• UnilevercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing food, household, and personal care products through the wholesale network including Hellmann's and Knorr brands.
• WalkerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing snack products including crisps through independent wholesale distribution.
• SwizzlescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured confectionery supplier providing products including Squashies through wholesale channels.
• RH AmarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured supplier providing Italian food products including Mutti tomatoes and condiments through the wholesale network.
• Grocery AidminorOthersCharitable cause supported by The Wholesale Group, providing support for individuals in the grocery industry.
• MAG (Médecins Sans Frontières)minorOthersCharitable organization supported by the group, providing medical humanitarian aid globally.
• Forest of HeartsminorOthersCharitable cause supported by The Wholesale Group, focused on environmental and community initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bestway Wholesale: Bestway Wholesale is one of the UK's largest independent wholesale groups, operating cash & carry depots and a symbol group. It overlaps with The Wholesale Group's independent wholesale support model but at much larger scale and with owned retail outlets.
• Booker Group: Booker (a Tesco subsidiary) is the UK's largest wholesaler, serving independent retailers via the Booker and Best-One symbol groups. It competes broadly with The Wholesale Group's independent retailer and caterer support proposition.
• Bidfood (formerly Booker Foodservice): Bidfood is the UK's leading delivered foodservice wholesaler, serving caterers, pubs, restaurants and hotels. It is a broad incumbent competitor to The Wholesale Group's foodservice wholesale offering, especially via the newly acquired Fairway Foodservice.
• AF Blakemore & Son: AF Blakemore is a major UK family-owned wholesaler operating the SPAR symbol group and serving independent retailers and foodservice operators, comparable in mission to The Wholesale Group but operating owned distribution at scale.
• Kitwave Group: Kitwave is a UK multi-temperature wholesale group operating confectionery, food, and beverage distribution to independent retailers and foodservice operators, comparable in B2B wholesale breadth.

Direct peers

• Caterforce: Caterforce is a UK buying group serving independent foodservice wholesalers, offering own-brand ranges and supplier partnerships. It is the closest direct competitor to The Wholesale Group's foodservice membership model.
• Today's Group: Today's Group is one of the UK's largest foodservice buying groups, providing independent wholesalers with collective buying power, own-brand products, and marketing support, directly comparable to The Wholesale Group's offerings.
• Landmark Wholesale: Landmark Wholesale is a UK buying group for independent convenience and foodservice wholesalers, offering own-brand, marketing, and supplier partnership services comparable to The Wholesale Group.
• JJ Foodservice: JJ Foodservice is a UK direct-to-operator foodservice wholesaler with strong own-brand ranges. It overlaps with The Wholesale Group's caterer and chef value proposition, particularly post-Fairway Foodservice acquisition.
• Confex (Independent Confectionery & Grocery): Confex is a UK buying group representing independent wholesalers and retailers in the grocery and confectionery trade, with a comparable membership, own-brand, and supplier partnership model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TWGroup25
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheWholesaleGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/TWGroup25
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thewholesalegroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/twgroup25

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Wholesale Group