Bestway Group

What Bestway Group does

Bestway Group Limited is a privately held, family-owned UK conglomerate founded in 1956 by Sir Anwar Pervez and headquartered in Park Royal, London (registered in Guernsey). The group operates across five segments: Bestway Wholesale (the UK's largest trade-only wholesaler, serving 125,000 independent retailers from 64+ depots with 25,000+ product lines and the Best-one / Xtra Local retail club networks), Well Pharmacy (782+ community pharmacies offering prescriptions, NHS services, and the Well CarePlus Proactive Care System for care homes), United Bank Limited (Pakistan's second-largest private bank with 1,300+ branches, 36,800+ branchless Omni agents, a $10.3B asset base, and UBL Tezraftaar remittance services), Bestway Cement (Pakistan's largest cement producer with 8 million tonnes annual capacity and co-generation waste heat recovery plants), and a Real Estate portfolio.

The group's go-to-market mixes channel partner selling (Bestway Wholesale and Batleys Foodservice to independent retailers, caterers, and local government), enterprise field sales (UBL branch banking), and direct-to-consumer service (Well Pharmacy). Revenue is generated through wholesale product margins, banking interest and fee income, pharmacy dispensing and NHS service fees, and cement sales to domestic and export markets (Afghanistan, India, South Africa, Mauritius); pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Operationally the group is asset-heavy: 250,000 sq ft central distribution hub in Coventry, regional wholesale depots across England/Scotland/Wales, manufacturing plants in Chakwal/Hattar, and UBL's full-service banking infrastructure including digital channels.

Growth has been driven principally by acquisitions — Co-operative Pharmacy (£620m, 2014), Lafarge Pakistan/Pakcem (£182m, 2015), John Bell & Croyden (2023), Costcutter (2021), Lloyds Pharmacy Scotland stores (2023), UNBL UK ($32.6m, 2024) and Dee Bee Wholesale (2026) — alongside organic scaling of UBL's digital banking platform and Bestway's symbol-group retail club membership. The conglomerate serves consumer, SMB, enterprise, and government end-markets across the UK, Pakistan, Tanzania, China, the UAE, Afghanistan, India, and elsewhere, with the Bestway Foundation channelling 2.5% of annual profits into community and CSR programs.

Underlying technology platforms include the Bestway Wholesale retailer mobile app and Apple Pay-enabled point-of-sale, UBL's digital banking platform and Omni agent network, the Proactive Care System deployed with Invatech Health across care homes, and on-site waste heat recovery generation reducing grid dependence at cement plants.

Name

Bestway Group

Legal name

Bestway Group Limited

Website

http://www.bestwaygroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Bestway Group is a privately held, family-owned UK conglomerate operating Bestway Wholesale (UK's largest trade-only wholesaler), Well Pharmacy (782+ UK community pharmacies), United Bank Limited (Pakistan's second-largest private bank), Bestway Cement (Pakistan's largest cement producer), and a Real Estate portfolio across the UK, Pakistan, and other international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Conglomerate (Wholesale, Pharmacy, Banking, Cement)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Private-Label / Own-Brand Broadline Distributors (AFAIAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foodservice Supplier Last-Mile (B2B to Restaurants) (TLAAAHAJ)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution
• Community pharmacy services
• Cement manufacturing
• Commercial banking services
• Conglomerate holding

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Trade-only wholesale distribution of food and drink to independent retailers and caterers from 64+ UK warehouses. Revenue from product sales across 25,000+ product lines including specialist ranges for catering, pet food, ethnic and own label products.
2. Banking Services (UBL): United Bank Limited generates revenue through interest income on loans, fees from banking services, branchless banking (Omni) transactions, remittance services, and digital banking solutions. UBL is Pakistan's second largest private bank with $10.3 billion asset base.
3. Pharmacy Retail: Well Pharmacy (formerly Co-operative Pharmacy) operates 782+ community pharmacies generating revenue from prescription dispensing, OTC products, healthcare services (blood pressure checks, flu jabs, smoking cessation), and NHS services.
4. Cement Manufacturing: Bestway Cement Limited produces cement with 8 million tonnes annual capacity after acquiring Pakcem (2.4 million tonnes). Revenue from domestic sales (4.9 million tonnes despatches) and exports to Afghanistan, India, South Africa, and Mauritius.
5. Retail Clubs and Symbol Groups: Best-one and Xtra Local retail club membership with over 4,300 stores and combined turnover of £650 million. Revenue through membership fees and wholesale product sales to member retailers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bestway Group is a UK-based diversified conglomerate operating five core businesses: Bestway Wholesale (UK's largest trade-only wholesaler serving 125,000 independent retailers and caterers from 64+ warehouses with 25,000+ product lines), Well Pharmacy (UK community pharmacy chain with 782+ branches), United Bank Limited (Pakistan's second-largest private bank), Bestway Cement (Pakistan's largest cement producer with 8 million tonnes annual capacity), and Bestway Real Estate. The group operates primarily in the UK and Pakistan with international banking and cement export reach.

Product overview

Bestway Group is a diversified conglomerate operating across five business segments: Wholesale distribution (Bestway Wholesale), Healthcare/Pharmacy (Well Pharmacy), Banking (United Bank Limited), Cement Manufacturing (Bestway Cement), and Real Estate. The group operates primarily in the UK and Pakistan with a presence in multiple international markets. Bestway Wholesale is the UK's largest trade-only wholesaler serving independent retailers; Well Pharmacy is a major UK pharmacy chain; UBL is Pakistan's second largest private bank; Bestway Cement is Pakistan's largest cement producer; and Real Estate manages property holdings. These businesses operate independently under unified group ownership with shared CSR and philanthropy initiatives through the Bestway Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Best-in: Own-label brand for Bestway Wholesale
• Bestpets
• Xtra Local
• Best-one
• White Pearl
• Essentially Catering
• UBL Omni
• UBL Tezraftaar
• Well CarePlus
• Well Pharmacy

Products and services

• Bestway Wholesale UK-based trade-only wholesale distribution business serving independent retailers and caterers from 64+ depots nationwide, offering over 25,000 product lines including food, drinks, catering supplies, pet products, and ethnic/specialist ranges.
• Well Pharmacy UK-based community pharmacy chain operating 782+ branches under the Well brand, providing prescription dispensing, OTC medicines, blood pressure checks, flu vaccinations, smoking cessation services, and care home medication management through Well CarePlus.
• United Bank Limited (UBL) Pakistan-based commercial bank and financial services provider, Pakistan's second-largest private bank with $10.3 billion asset base, serving 5 million+ customers through 1,300+ branches, 36,800+ Omni branchless banking agents, digital banking, UBL Tezraftaar remittances, and international presence in UK, Middle East, North America, China, and Tanzania.
• Bestway Cement Pakistan-based cement manufacturing business, the largest cement producer in the country with 8 million tonnes annual production capacity across plants at Chakwal (with 15MW Waste Heat Recovery Power Plant), Hattar (7.5MW WHRPP), and Farooqia (6.0MW WHRPP), with domestic sales and exports to Afghanistan, India, South Africa, and Mauritius.
• Bestway Real Estate Real estate development and property management operations within the Bestway Group portfolio.
• Best-one and Xtra Local Retail Clubs Retail club membership symbol groups with over 4,300 member stores and combined turnover of £650 million, providing branding, promotional support, and wholesale supply to independent retailers across the UK.
• Bestway Batleys Foodservice Foodservice division serving caterers, licensed trade, NHS hospitals (East Lancashire, Birmingham), local government councils (TUCO, NEPO, Scottish Excel, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow), and institutions including Accuro Catering and Warwickshire Colleges, with Price Hold Guarantee for fixed pricing.
• UBL Omni Branchless Banking Branchless banking service delivered through 36,800+ agents across Pakistan, providing communities with basic banking services beyond traditional branch networks including money remittance (UBL Tezraftaar with highest market share in Pakistani home remittances).
• UBL Digital Banking Platform Digital banking platform that achieved 1 million digital transacting customers milestone, with self-serve channels providing enhanced convenience; recognized by Euromoney as Pakistan's Best Digital Bank.
• Apple Pay Wholesale Integration Payment solution allowing Bestway Wholesale depot customers to pay for goods using iPhone or Apple Watch with no transaction ceiling, deployed across depot network.
• Well CarePlus Care home medication administration service using the Proactive Care System (PCS) developed in partnership with Invatech Health, providing medication management for care home residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual turnover of £3.06 billion, up 20% year-over-year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Bank Limited (UBL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2024Bestway acquired 55% stake in UNBL UK from UBL for GBP 25.49 million (50.1% share purchase), expanding Bestway's financial services footprint in the UK. UBL retains option to acquire remaining 4.9%.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 January 2024Strategic partnership renewed for multi-year collaboration focused on debit card issuance in Pakistan, digital payment solutions, cross-border payments, and ecommerce. Mastercard provides advisory services through Mastercard Advisors.
• PenniesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2021Well Pharmacy partnership with Pennies for micro-donations at point of sale, raising funds for Mind mental health charity over 2 years.
• GroceryAidminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2009Annual charity partnership with GroceryAid through Royal Ascot Charity Race Day, donating £100,000+ per year. Zameer Choudrey serves as trustee.
• CrimeStoppersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCSR partnership with CrimeStoppers charity as part of community support initiatives.
• Stroke AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWell Pharmacy partnership with Stroke Association for health awareness campaigns.
• DeliveroominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Deliveroo announced in 2023, helping restaurants access delivery services and saving them costs.
• The Duke of Edinburgh AwardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBestway Foundation Gold Partner Award from The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Metro AG: Metro AG is Europe's largest broadline wholesale and foodservice distribution group (Makro, Classic Fine Foods) — directly comparable to Bestway Wholesale's trade-only cash-and-carry plus Bestway Batleys Foodservice B2B catering model.
• McKesson Corporation: McKesson is a global pharmaceutical distribution and pharmacy services leader (owner of Lloyds Pharmacy in the UK) — directly comparable to Well Pharmacy at scale and a benchmark for pharmacy supply chain and NHS contract economics.
• Costco Wholesale: Costco operates the world's largest membership-based wholesale club chain; comparable to Bestway's broadline, own-label-driven, B2B wholesale model at a global scale, and a key benchmark for own-label penetration and category management.
• Sysco Corporation: Sysco is the largest broadline foodservice distributor in North America — a strong comparable for Bestway Batleys Foodservice's B2B catering, NHS hospital, and council supply contracts at scale.

Direct peers

• Booker Group (Tesco): Booker, owned by Tesco, is the UK's largest cash-and-carry wholesaler serving independent retailers and caterers — directly comparable to Bestway Wholesale's trade-only food and drink distribution business across its national depot network.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance: Walgreens Boots Alliance operates one of the world's largest retail pharmacy footprints (Boots in the UK) — directly comparable to Well Pharmacy's 782+ UK community pharmacy branches for scale, NHS service delivery, and retail pharmacy economics.

Regional players

• DG Khan Cement: DG Khan Cement is a major Pakistani cement producer and exporter — a direct peer to Bestway Cement in domestic capacity, export markets (Afghanistan, India, Africa), and energy/coal cost dynamics.
• Habib Bank Limited (HBL): HBL is Pakistan's largest private commercial bank; directly comparable to UBL as a Pakistani private-sector bank with retail, corporate, digital, and remittance franchises competing for the same 5m+ customer opportunity.
• Lucky Cement: Lucky Cement is one of Pakistan's largest cement manufacturers and exporters — directly comparable to Bestway Cement's 8Mt capacity, export markets, and positioning in Pakistan's construction-driven cement cycle.
• Fauji Foundation: Fauji Foundation is a large Pakistani conglomerate with interests in cement (Fauji Cement), fertilizers, food, and energy — comparable to Bestway Group's diversified Pakistan holdings across cement, banking, and consumer businesses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BestwayGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/BestwayGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bestway-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/bestwaygroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A5 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Bestway Group