Bunzl Retail Services

What Bunzl Retail Services does

Bunzl Retail Services is the North American retail supply subsidiary of Bunzl plc, a FTSE 100 distribution conglomerate, providing consolidated Goods-Not-For-Resale (GNFR) distribution, custom packaging, and visual merchandising services to multi-location enterprise retailers. The company operates more than three million square feet of warehouse space across North America and leverages Bunzl plc's global sourcing network spanning 31 countries to procure operational supplies including packaging, signage, fixtures, janitorial products, safety equipment, and uniforms. Sub-brands Keenpac (branded packaging) and Christine Taylor Collection (visual merchandising) extend the offering into design-led services, while the Bunzl Grove showroom and a virtual Matterport tour support customer collaboration. The company serves hundreds of major retailers including BootBarn, Crate&Barrel, CHICOS FAS, Curaleaf, Great Wolf Lodge, and Whitehouse Black Market.

The underlying technology stack includes the Spend Management Portal (a customized online catalog and ordering platform with real-time reporting and transparency), the Top Value Collection program (a pre-negotiated, curated product assortment across 14+ categories), and warehouse automation comprising Fetch Robot Autonomous Mobile Robots from Zebra, CHUCK automated picking carts from 6River Systems, and Vocollect voice-directed workflow solutions. Business intelligence tools, demand planning, and forecasting capabilities support inventory management and supply chain optimization for retail customers. No public API, SDK, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Bunzl Retail Services generates revenue primarily through distribution margins on GNFR goods sold to enterprise retail customers under negotiated, quote-based contracts, supplemented by professional services revenue from custom packaging programs, visual merchandising design, and new store opening and remodel consolidation services. Distribution is structured around dedicated National Account Managers providing single points of contact, with a direct-to-store fulfillment model, freight and logistics coordination, and self-service online ordering via the Spend Management Portal. The company's go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting national and regional multi-location retailers across verticals including specialty footwear, grocery, apparel, hospitality, cannabis, and home goods.

Name

Bunzl Retail Services

Legal name

Bunzl Retail Services

Website

https://bunzlservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bunzl Retail Services is the North American subsidiary of Bunzl plc, providing consolidated Goods-Not-For-Resale supply distribution, custom packaging, and visual merchandising services to multi-location enterprise retailers across the U.S. via 3+ million sq ft of warehousing and global sourcing across 31 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Supply Distribution (GNFR)

NAICS

Wholesale Trade (42)

SIC

Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Retailer-Vendor Collaboration, Joint Business Planning (JBP) & Trade Terms Services (CRAOAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Kitting & Bundling Services (TLAIAFAA)

Keywords

• Retail supply distribution
• GNFR procurement
• Warehouse logistics
• Custom retail packaging
• Visual merchandising

Headquarters

HQ city

Morton Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. GNFR Supply Distribution: Bunzl Retail Services generates revenue through the distribution of Goods-Not-For-Resale (GNFR) supplies to multi-location retailers. This includes operational supplies such as packaging, signage, fixtures, janitorial products, cleaning supplies, uniforms, safety equipment, and other essential store operations items. Revenue is derived from the markup on procured and distributed goods, with centralized sourcing, warehousing, and delivery integrated into the service.
2. Custom Packaging & Visual Merchandising: Revenue from custom branded packaging programs (through Keenpac) and visual merchandising design services (through Christine Taylor Collection), including custom displays, props, decor, seasonal programs, window decor, and custom lighting. Services include design, production management, and sourcing of retail displays and packaging.
3. New Store & Remodel Programs: Revenue from consolidation and distribution services for new store openings, remodels, and closures. Bunzl acts as a single consolidation point for all distribution needs, including fixture consolidation, signage, displays, lighting, store supplies, packaging, and special projects, aiming for one consolidated shipment per store opening.
4. Freight & Logistics Services: Revenue from coordinating transportation, mode optimization, delivery routes, and integrating logistics with sourcing and distribution. Bunzl's freight and logistics network supports efficient transportation and delivery across retail store networks through route optimization, shipment consolidation, and transportation capacity management.
5. Top Value Collection (TVC): Revenue from pre-negotiated, cost-effective product assortment program (Top Value Collection) offering standardized operational products such as janitorial supplies, office supplies, breakroom supplies, safety equipment, packaging, and more. Bunzl owns inventory for key items, providing consistent product availability and streamlined ordering for retailers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Bunzl Retail Services is a consolidated distributor of Goods-Not-For-Resale (GNFR) supplies for multi-location national and regional retailers. It combines supply distribution, custom branded packaging (Keenpac), visual merchandising (Christine Taylor Collection), global sourcing across 31 countries, warehousing across 3M+ sq ft in North America, freight and logistics, and new store/remodel program management into a single managed supply platform. The company monetizes through markup on procured GNFR goods, packaging design and production services, visual merchandising programs, and logistics coordination for retail store networks.

Product overview

Bunzl Retail Services is a national leader in providing Goods-Not-For-Resale (GNFR) supplies to multi-location retailers. The company operates as a consolidated retail supply platform offering integrated services including: Supply Distribution, Global Sourcing (31 countries), Warehousing and Distribution (3+ million sq ft), Freight and Logistics, Creative Services (via sub-brands Keenpac for packaging and Christine Taylor Collection for visual merchandising), the Spend Management Portal (online ordering platform), and the Top Value Collection (standardized product program). The company combines sourcing, packaging, warehousing, distribution, and logistics into one seamless solution, functioning as a one-stop shop for retail operations supplies rather than a single software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Christine Taylor Collection (CTC): Visual merchandising services offering custom visual merchandise, display props, fixtures, seasonal programs, and custom lighting solutions.
• Keenpac
• Top Value Collection
• Bunzl Grove Showroom

Products and services

• Supply Distribution Distribution and management of Goods-Not-For-Resale (GNFR) items — packaging, signage, fixtures, janitorial products, cleaning supplies, uniforms, safety equipment, and other operational supplies — to multi-location retailers across North America.
• Global Sourcing International procurement and strategic sourcing services leveraging Bunzl PLC's supplier network across 31 countries to reduce costs and ensure product consistency for retail customers.
• Warehousing and Distribution Warehouse operations across more than 3 million square feet in North America, including storage, inventory management, pick-and-pack, kitting, and custom program support for retail supply networks.
• Freight and Logistics Transportation and delivery coordination for GNFR products across retail store networks, including route optimization, shipment consolidation, transportation capacity management, and tracking visibility.
• New Stores and Remodels Streamlined store opening, remodel, and closure programs for multi-location retailers, providing fixture consolidation, signage, displays, lighting, store supplies, packaging, and coordinated delivery to reduce timelines and costs.
• Top Value Collection (TVC) Pre-negotiated, cost-effective standardized product assortment program offering curated operational products — janitorial, office, breakroom, safety, packaging and more — with consistent product availability and streamlined ordering for retailers.
• Keenpac Custom Branded Packaging Custom branded packaging programs for retail brands, including everyday bags, shopping bags, reusable bags, gift boxes, garment bags, eCommerce packaging, ribbons, bows, tags, hangers, and sustainable packaging options.
• Christine Taylor Collection (CTC) Visual Merchandising Visual merchandising services for retail environments, including custom displays, props, fixtures, florals, foliage, seasonal programs, window decor, signage, and custom lighting solutions.
• Spend Management Portal (Online Ordering and Reporting Platform) Customer-tailored online catalog and ordering site providing reporting, transparency, and organization for operational spending, with real-time visibility into orders, deliveries, inventory usage, and purchasing activity.
• Bunzl Grove Showroom Flagship collaborative showroom featuring visual merchandising displays, custom packaging samples, seasonal decorations, lighting, furniture, and design inspiration, available for in-person visits and virtual Matterport tours with retail customers and prospects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18% savings on delivery costs per project on average
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• Bunzl plccoreOthers · 1 January 2013Bunzl Retail Services is a subsidiary of Bunzl plc, a FTSE 100 company and provider of one-stop shop, on-time and in-full specialist distribution services across more than 30 countries. Bunzl plc supplies a broad range of internationally and responsibly sourced non-food products to a variety of market sectors. The acquisition in 2013 transformed Schwarz Supply Source into Bunzl Retail Services, providing global reach and buying power.
• Schwarz Supply Source (Predecessor)coreOthers · 1 January 1907Schwarz Supply Source was the original company name, opening as a small Chicago storefront in 1907 as a supplier of paper and packaging products to local businesses. Over 100 years, it became the leading retail supply company in the U.S. before being acquired by Bunzl plc in 2013.
• Diversified Distribution Systems (DDS)minorOthersOne of several companies brought together by Bunzl over subsequent years to form Bunzl Retail Services. DDS contributed to the fully expansive portfolio of products and services for North American retailers.
• CDW MerchantsminorOthersOne of several companies brought together by Bunzl over subsequent years to form Bunzl Retail Services, adding retail supplies experience and expertise to the consolidated platform.
• KeenpaccoreOthersKeenpac is a leading custom packaging company providing branded packaging programs for retail brands. Part of Bunzl Retail Services' creative services offering, offering everyday bags, shopping bags, reusable bags, gift boxes, garment bags, eCommerce packaging, ribbons, bows, tags, hangers, and sustainable packaging options. Accessible at keenpacna.com.
• Retail Resource LPminorOthersOne of several companies brought together by Bunzl over subsequent years to form Bunzl Retail Services, contributing to the portfolio of products and services for North American retailers.
• Christine Taylor Collection (CTC)coreOthersChristine Taylor Collection (CTC) is a visual merchandising company providing custom visual merchandise, displays, props, fixtures, florals, foliage, seasonal programs, window decor, and custom lights. Part of Bunzl Retail Services' creative services and accessible at ctcvisual.com.
• Eco SystemsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerBunzl North America partners with Eco Systems to deliver sustainable products for foodservice and grocery sectors, providing affordable solutions that comply with fragmented legislative landscapes along with sustainability advice and training. Supports customers' goals to move toward 100% packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
• Film-Based Recycling Program Partner (Local Service Provider)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBunzl partnered to create a film-based recycling program where store teams collect clear film-based plastic (e.g., produce bags, pallet wrap), which is back-hauled during weekly Bunzl deliveries to Distribution Centres, then sent for recycling by a local service provider.
• Zebra (Fetch Robots)coreTechnology or IntegrationFetch Robots (from Zebra) are Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) used in Bunzl's warehouses, moving independently across facilities to fulfill orders faster and automate time-consuming material movement tasks. Part of Bunzl's technology-driven warehouse operations.
• 6River Systems (CHUCK)coreTechnology or IntegrationCHUCK automated picking cart from 6River Systems is used in Bunzl's warehouse operations. It leads associates through work zones to minimize walking, stay on task, and work more efficiently, improving putaway, picking, sorting, and returns tasks.
• Vocollect (Boreal Tech)coreTechnology or IntegrationVocollect is a voice-directed workflow solution used in Bunzl's warehouses, providing audio guidance to workers on where to go and what to pack. Releases items to the floor in waves for a more efficient workflow that increases productivity and reduces mistakes, offering a paperless, more sustainable warehouse operation.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Imperial Dade: One of the largest distributors of foodservice, janitorial, and packaging supplies in North America. Direct comparable to BRS in B2B distribution model, customer base (multi-location retail and foodservice), and value-added services like kitting and consolidation.
• Office Depot: Major B2B and retail distributor of office, janitorial, breakroom, and operational supplies with enterprise customer programs. Comparable in product categories (janitorial, office, breakroom supplies overlap with BRS Top Value Collection) and enterprise contract distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Bunzl plc (parent and global operations): Parent company of BRS; FTSE 100 diversified B2B distributor operating across 30+ countries in foodservice, retail, hygiene, healthcare, and other non-food categories. BRS represents Bunzl's North American retail supply segment, with broader geographic and vertical reach than BRS alone.
• Genuine Parts Company: Large diversified B2B distributor (NAPA Auto Parts, motion industries, S.P. Richards) with similar scale of distribution infrastructure and broad assortment model across multiple verticals. Compares on consolidated B2B distribution playbook, though focused on different end markets.
• HD Supply Holdings: Major B2B distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products with national distribution infrastructure. Comparable in scale, multi-location customer service model, and value-added supply chain services, though focused on industrial/institutional customers rather than retail.
• W.W. Grainger: Fortune 500 broad-line industrial distribution company serving businesses with maintenance, repair, and operating supplies. Comparable in catalog distribution model, Spend Management/e-procurement portal capabilities, and national warehousing footprint.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest US foodservice distributor with consolidated distribution to multi-location customers (restaurants, hospitality, retail). Comparable in B2B distribution model, centralized sourcing scale, and consolidated delivery to multi-location customers, though focused on food rather than non-food GNFR.
• MSC Industrial Direct: Large B2B industrial distributor of metalworking and MRO supplies serving over a million customers nationwide. Comparable in catalog/portal distribution model, national warehousing, and consolidated supply chain services for multi-location enterprise customers.
• Ferguson Enterprises: Large US distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks supplies serving contractors and commercial customers. Comparable in B2B distribution infrastructure, multi-location customer service, and value-added supply chain capabilities.
• Pool Corporation: Largest specialty distributor of swimming pool supplies serving thousands of retail and service customers. Comparable in B2B specialty distribution model, vendor-managed inventory to multi-location customers, and consolidated procurement at scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCK0qK0WK31fZF5xbF_cj7nA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bunzlretail
• Instagraminstagram.com/ctc_keenpac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

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 Bunzl Retail Services