Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Criteria for becoming a member: To join our symbol estate, independent retailers have to meet store fixture and fittings specifications; meet range and promotional compliance; and have a minimum spend at Unitas Wholesale member depots.
Costs of becoming a member: Free to join; start-up costs will vary by store and are managed locally between the retailer and Unitas member wholesaler.
What financial packages or credit terms do you offer? Managed locally by the wholesaler.
Minimum length of contract: Three years.
Do you offer a trading area agreement? If so, within what radius is a member assured exclusivity?
Half a mile, or a quarter of a mile within London. Exclusivity is granted to the Unitas member wholesaler and does not cover two separate Unitas Wholesale symbol brands.
Minimum drop requirement: Negotiated locally.
What options do retailers have for ordering goods? As different members offer different ordering solutions, this is managed locally by the individual Unitas member wholesaler.
How many own-label lines do you have listed and what are the own-label ranges?
Unitas Wholesale offers more than 180 own-brand products, available through selected Unitas member wholesalers. The range includes grocery, impulse, non-food, licensed and tobacco.
What arrangements do you have for fresh produce and chilled and frozen foods?
As well as direct arrangements from the local Unitas wholesaler, we also provide enhanced trading terms through our retail services and drop shipment providers.
How many of your retailers have EPoS and how do you encourage them to take on new technology packages?
A number of our symbol retailers operate EPoS systems, many directly linked to their Unitas wholesaler. Retailers are free to use various EPoS providers, with some Unitas wholesalers operating their own solution.
Do you invest in consumer advertising? Our seventeen three-weekly promotions are supported by printed leaflets, in-store POS and social media. We also provide support for retailers who want to target their customers using social media.
What promotions do you offer?
As well as the consumer promotional programme, as the largest independent buying group in the UK, we are able to support our retailers with our national three-weekly promotional programme, as well as own-brand campaigns and our Mega Deals Plus promotional activities.
What category management help can you provide?
Unitas Wholesale provides the Plan for Profit core range programme available via the web, app and in hard-copy format. Plan for Profit gives independent retailers access to the latest category planograms, core range support and expert category advice specifically developed for the independent sector.
What other support measures for retailers have you introduced recently and what do you plan to introduce in the near future?
We have invested centrally to provide exclusive retail services and drop shipment via the Plan for Profit website to help retailers source local suppliers to drive sales and provide a differential versus the multiples in their area and to help reduce their business running costs. These include home delivery and click-and-collect platforms and we are developing a more enhanced social media support package.
Why should an independent retailer join your group?
With a choice of fascias, retailers are guaranteed to have a store that perfectly suits their trading environment, while maintaining the freedom to run their business independently. Retailers receive support from their local independent wholesaler with the backing of Unitas Wholesale. Our strength in scale and volume allows us to negotiate the best prices and promotions from all the major food, drink and non-food suppliers so that our independent member wholesalers can pass the benefits onto their independent retailers and compete effectively in their market place. Each independent retailer is assigned a dedicated BDM.
CONTACT
Name: Unitas Wholesale
Address: 3 Carolina Court, Wisconsin Drive, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5RA
Telephone: 01302 249909
E-mail: info@unitaswholesale.co.uk
Website: unitaswholesale.co.uk
Twitter: @UnitasWsale
First contact for potential members:
Either contact your Unitas Member Wholesaler or go direct via www.planforprofit.co.uk/join-our-symbol-estate-sign-up.php
FACTFILE
Average store size: 800sq ft
Number of UK retail members: 764 symbol, 3,248 retail club
Names of all UK fascias: Lifestyle Express, Lifestyle Extra, Today’s Express, Today’s Extra, Today’s Local, Today’s Drinks, Day-Today and Day-Today Express.
RETAILER SNAPSHOT
Owner: Raja Waseem
Store name: Lifestyle Extra
Location: Ferguslie Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire
Number of years as a member: 14 months
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 7am to 10pm; Sunday 9am to 10pm
Main advantages of membership: With Unitas Wholesale, we know we have power behind us, which is so important. In particular, the three-weekly promotions are a huge asset and fly out of the door. Customers appreciate the big brands on offer at brilliant prices. We promote them on social media and they definitely draw in new customers too. Our new, bright store has given the area a real lift.
Why did you choose to join this group rather than one of its competitors?
I knew I wanted to be part of something bigger and Lifestyle Express fitted the bill. I wanted it to be clear from the signage outside that this was a convenience store, so customers knew to come in for their shopping. The team at Unitas has been fantastic.
