Bestway’s Pervez renews calls for fair distribution as COVID-19 curbs mount

Dawood Pervez, managing director of Bestway Wholesale, has urged suppliers to work with wholesalers and retailers to ensure fair distribution of stock to all.

The call comes in the wake of a swiftly spreading second wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak and growing restrictions, including full lockdown in certain regions, to fight the pandemic.

“We’re constantly monitoring changes in the economy, and in consumer shopping behaviours. And, the early indicators show that consumers may be looking to purchase more of key product lines over growing concerns that we will see a return to panic shopping earlier in the year,” Pervez said.

“In order to give a voice and champion independent retailers, I would urge suppliers to remain diligent and aware of the importance of maintaining supplies into this vital sector, should grocery demand hit a spike in the days, or weeks, ahead.”

Pervez has been a vocal critic of suppliers during the earlier outbreak of the virus for “unfairly giving priority to the supermarkets.”

While the wholesaler does not expect to see a repeat of the peak of panic buying as witnessed in April and May, it is important to ensure supplies to local stores that played a crucial role throughout the pandemic, Pervez noted.

“Many of the UK’s localised independent retailers are a literal lifeline for consumers who are vulnerable, cannot get home delivery slots or simply need more help. What none of us want to see, is a return to panic buying across retail in general. In particular, we want to avoid stock ‘shorting’ into independent retailers, which will simply exacerbate the challenges seen across grocery,” he said.

Pervez added that Bestway is planning ahead and working with suppliers, with contingency plans in place.

“We continue to operate a safe environment for our customers across our depots nationwide and, unlike many others, have continued with our pricing promotions throughout to ensure we give our retailers the optimum support and opportunity. Alongside safety in store under COVID-19 as a major factor, fair pricing has been highlighted as the most important issue for consumers when shopping in their local C-store,” he said.

Britain, which has the worst official death toll in Europe, reported 7,143 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest single figure to date, and 71 deaths, the worst daily toll since July.

Large swathes of the country and tens of millions of citizens are subject to local restrictions brought in to try to slow the second wave of COVID-19 infections. The country has reported more than 42,072 deaths from the virus – the world’s fifth highest number of fatalities.