Costcutter retailers given access to Bestway cash & carry depot network   

Bestway said all retailers within the Bestway Retail symbol estate are being given access to the Bestway and Batleys cash & carry depot network with immediate effect, including retailers affiliated to Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG).

Retailers will also enjoy rebate rewards on qualifying purchases in line with their current rebate structure, the group added.

Mike Hollis, Bestway’s Retail Director, said the move is vitally important in ensuring retailers can top up and ensure consistency of service and keep their shelves fully stocked during the current market conditions.

“It’s a fact of life within our industry that independent retailers need to top up their delivered services to ensure continuity of products and supplies at times of pressure to meet their individual needs and increased consumer demand,” he said.

“And we are pleased to now make this official and support our retail partners by ensuring that every retailer in our group has access to our 65 depots in our Bestway and Batleys’ network. Importantly, they can earn rebate rewards on qualifying purchases in line with their current rebate structure.”

Bestway has confirmed that it is making rebate rewards available across the widest possible range of products. Tobacco and one day deals are not eligible for rebate.

Hollis added: “The last two weeks has seen grocery retail experience unprecedented disruption with some of the major supermarkets experiencing driver shortages and supplier shortfalls (as a result of ‘Pingdemic’), which has led to shelf-gaps.

“This move to invite retailers into our depots is also timely in supporting continuity in convenience retail at a time of need.

“We believe in rewarding loyalty and I would maintain that our rebate system is the best in the business affording our retail partners opportunity for higher margins and business growth”.

Several Costcutter stores have recently experienced disruptions to deliveries as a national shortage of delivery drivers affected CSG’s supply partner Nisa, which is owned by Co-op.

Bestway has completed the acquisition of CSG from Bibby Line Group earlier this year. However, soon after the agreement for acquisition, Bestway has secured a two and a half year’s extension of CSG’s current supply agreement with the Co-op.