CJ Lang & Son

What CJ Lang & Son does

CJ Lang & Son Limited is a Dundee-based, family-owned wholesale and convenience retail company founded in 1919 that serves as the appointed wholesaler and primary operator for SPAR Scotland, the largest symbol group in Scotland. The company supports over 300 SPAR convenience stores across Scotland, comprising 188 independent retailers and 109 company-owned stores (plus 9 ScotFresh stores acquired in October 2023), distributed from a single Dundee depot and own-vehicle fleet that enables same-day delivery from Kirkwall to Dumfries. Core offerings include wholesale product supply, marketing and store-development support to independent retailers, own-label SPAR Scotland ranges, the CJ's Food To Go sub-brand with an upcoming loyalty app, and an exclusive Barista Bar premium coffee franchise in 100+ stores.

The business operates a dual wholesale-retail model. Wholesale revenue is generated from margins on goods supplied to independent SPAR retailers plus subscription-style fees for distribution, marketing support, store refit project management, business guidance and training. Retail revenue is generated directly from 109+ company-owned SPAR stores. Technology infrastructure centers on the Relex demand planning platform (rolled out across 115 stores and the supplier network for forecasting, replenishment and promotional estimating), electronic shelf edge labels and digital signage in company stores, and a planned loyalty app and Q-commerce channels (Snappy Shopper, white-label delivery). First-to-market exclusive product launches (Irn-Bru Energy, Irn-Bru 1901, Más+ by Messi, Prime Hydration, Mr Beast Feastables) are a core revenue lever, supported by a 2026 exclusive partnership with Iceland Foods for frozen category distribution.

For FY2025 (period ending 27 April 2025), the company reported group net turnover of £255m, EBITDA of £6.8m and operating profit (pre-exceptional) of £2.35m, marking the fifth consecutive year of underlying profitability growth despite challenging trading conditions. The company employs approximately 1,800 people (61% female, 36% women on Executive Board) and is led by CEO Colin McLean with COO Sonya Harper (appointed July 2025), Company Owned Stores Director Frank McCarron and Independent Sales Director Brian Straiton. Customer segments split between convenience shoppers (B2C), independent SPAR retailers (B2B wholesale), company-owned store operations, and FMCG suppliers seeking Scottish distribution, with no parent company, private equity or public listing disclosed.

Name

CJ Lang & Son

Legal name

C J Lang & Son Limited

Website

https://cjlang.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CJ Lang & Son is a Dundee-based, family-owned wholesale and convenience retail company founded in 1919, serving as wholesaler and primary operator for SPAR Scotland, the largest Scottish symbol group with 300+ stores across Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Distribution and Convenience Retail

NAICS

Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers (4244), Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers (424420), Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (42447)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen Foods Wholesale (Packaged & Private Label) (AFAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigerated Meat & Charcuterie Wholesale (AFAIAHAI), Frozen Foods Wholesale (AFAIABAC)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution services
• Convenience retail operations
• Symbol group franchising
• FMCG supply chain
• Retail support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dundee

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: CJ Lang & Son serves as the appointed wholesaler for SPAR Scotland, distributing products to over 300 independent and company-owned SPAR convenience stores across Scotland. Revenue generated through margins on wholesale pricing to retail stores.
2. Company-Owned Retail Stores: Operating 109 company-owned SPAR convenience stores, generating retail revenue from direct consumer sales.
3. Symbol Group Fees: Fees and support services provided to independent SPAR retailers including distribution, marketing support, store refit project management, business guidance and training.
4. First-to-Market Product Launches: Exclusive product launches and partnerships generate increased sales volume through differentiated product offerings. Examples include Irn-Bru Energy, Prime Hydration, Mr Beast Feastables, and Más+ by Messi.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

CJ Lang & Son is the appointed wholesaler for SPAR Scotland, distributing ambient, chilled, frozen, and non-food products to over 300 SPAR convenience stores across Scotland. The company simultaneously operates 109 company-owned SPAR stores directly, while providing independent SPAR retailers with marketing support, store refit project management, business guidance, and training services.

Product overview

CJ Lang & Son is a Dundee-based wholesaler and convenience retailer serving SPAR Scotland, the largest symbol group in Scotland with over 300 stores (188 independent and 109 company-owned). The company operates a multi-layered business model combining wholesale distribution services to independent retailers with company-owned retail operations. Core offerings include the SPAR Scotland convenience store network with proprietary own-label products, CJ's Food To Go brand featuring a loyalty app, and the exclusive Barista Bar premium coffee franchise. The company provides retailer recruitment services through Discover SPAR Scotland, digital marketing and gamification via campaigns like Spin into Spring, and technology solutions including Relex demand planning. Supplier partnerships span major CPG brands (AG Barr, Rich's, Dunkin') alongside regional Scottish producers (Mrs Tilly's, Farmlay Eggs, local bakers). Recent acquisitions include nine ScotFresh stores (2023) and three Eddy's Food Station stores, with all 12 now converted to SPAR.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPAR Scotland Convenience Stores The SPAR Scotland symbol group network of over 300 independent and company-owned convenience stores across Scotland, supplied and supported by CJ Lang & Son. Provides distribution, retail support, marketing, and store development services to SPAR retailers.
• CJ's Food To Go CJ Lang & Son's own food-to-go brand featuring baguettes, chicken chunks, and frozen drinks sold in SPAR Scotland convenience stores, with a dedicated loyalty app for customer engagement.
• Barista Bar Coffee

Quantifiable outcome

• First-to-market delivery achieved within one day for Irn-Bru Energy launch to all 320 stores
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iceland FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Exclusive convenience retail partnership bringing Iceland's frozen food products into SPAR convenience stores. Three SPAR UK wholesalers (CJ Lang & Son, James Hall & Co, and A.F. Blakemore & Son) supporting collaboration. Could increase stores stocking Iceland products from 320 to nearly 2,000. Iceland exclusive brands including Slimming World, Harry Ramsden's, TGI Friday's, Myprotein, and Greggs.
• Barista Bar (Henderson Foodservice/Henderson Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2024Exclusive brand franchise agreement for Scotland with Northern Ireland's No.1 coffee to go brand. £2.5m distribution deal with CJ Lang & Son. First to market at Pinkie Farm SPAR store with 100%+ sales growth. Barista Bar machines feature patented milk system; Planted machine option also available. Over 12 million cups sold annually across 730 machines.
• ScotFresh Group LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2023CJ Lang & Son acquired Glasgow-based ScotFresh Group Ltd in October 2023, including its nine stores and 130 staff. The acquisition expands CJ Lang's store estate, with ScotFresh operating as a separate business unit within CJ Lang while maintaining existing branding and customer relationships.
• David Sands GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 August 2023Partnership bringing David's Kitchen and Pinkie Farm stores under SPAR banner. Four stores (Musselburgh, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy, Falkirk) rebrand to SPAR Market while retaining local identity and family business approach. Partnership announced at SPAR Scotland's Aviemore tradeshow. 200+ years of grocery retailing history in Scotland.
• Relex SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationDemand planning and forecasting platform for integrated store and distribution centre forecasting, replenishment, and improved product availability. Rollout completed across 115 company-owned stores and supplier network.
• Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFour-year partnership (extended until August 2027) supporting women's football including sponsorship of Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup. Partnership extends to include Women's Scottish Cup domestic games. SPAR Scotland Future Stars Cup in partnership with Scottish FA has grown to 282 teams and 3,000 girls aged 12-16. Grassroots football support through community donations.
• Marie CurieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational charity partnership since 2016. SPAR UK raised £3m for Marie Curie through in-store fundraising, customer donations, and on-pack product donations. Funding 130,000 hours of Marie Curie Nurses care.
• FareShareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUK charity fighting hunger and tackling food waste. SPAR partnered with FareShare for Giving One Million Meals campaign providing £250,000 donation equivalent to 1 million meals through local charities.
• Rich'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-store bakery solutions supplier. CJ Lang & Son serves as distributor for Rich's sweet bakery range including cookies, muffins and buns designed for convenience stores. Products priced between £1.235-£2.75, delivered frozen with 5-day shelf life once defrosted.
• Community Cashback CampaignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual campaign inviting SPAR shoppers to nominate local charities and community groups. £10,000 grants awarded to winning causes including The Yard Dundee. Fourth year of campaign with 200 grants awarded since 2021.
• Lang FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable foundation under CJ Lang & Son supporting local communities and causes.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Premier Stores: UK convenience symbol group operated by Booker, supplying independent retailers nationwide; directly comparable wholesale-supported symbol retail model.
• Londis: UK convenience symbol group owned by Booker/Tesco, supporting independent retailers; operates a similar wholesale-supplied symbol retail model that competes with SPAR-affiliated retailers in Scotland and across the UK.
• James Hall & Co: SPAR wholesaler for North of England, one of the three SPAR UK wholesalers alongside CJ Lang & Son and A.F. Blakemore & Son. Operates a similar symbol-group wholesale and company-owned retail model.
• A.F. Blakemore & Son: One of the largest SPAR wholesalers in the UK, distributing across the Midlands, Wales and South of England. Direct comparable in symbol-group wholesale model and SPAR Iceland Foods partnership.
• Costcutter Supermarkets Group: UK symbol group for independent convenience retailers, comparable to SPAR Scotland; provides wholesale supply, marketing support and brand identity to independent stores nationwide.
• Henderson Group: SPAR wholesaler for Northern Ireland and parent of Henderson Foodservice, which developed the Barista Bar coffee franchise supplied to CJ Lang. Closely aligned peer in SPAR symbol-group wholesale and branded food-to-go offerings.
• Mace (symbol group): UK symbol group and convenience wholesale brand owned by Booker, providing wholesale services to independent retailers; directly comparable business model to SPAR Scotland.

Broad incumbents

• Booker Group: Tesco-owned UK food wholesaler operating the Booker, Makro, and Londis symbol groups; serves a much larger customer base across the UK, providing direct competitive context for CJ Lang's wholesale model.
• Bestway Wholesale: One of the UK's largest independent wholesale groups with retail symbol brands including Costcutter, Mace, and Best-one; offers comparable wholesale services to independent convenience retailers across the UK.
• Nisa (part of Booker/Tesco): UK convenience wholesale and symbol group serving independent retailers; now part of Booker/Tesco, providing scale-based competitive pressure in grocery wholesale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cj-lang-%26-son-limited

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 CJ Lang & Son