Glasgow-based wholesaler United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) is reportedly in talks to acquire East London-based Time Wholesale Services.
According to a trade media outlet, UWS is expected to complete the deal by June this year. One of London’s leading wholesalers, Time Wholesale Services (UK) Ltd supplies food, drink and tobacco products to independent retailers, caterers, pubs and clubs.
The report comes days after UWS unveiled its ambitious plans to grow the business, raising turnover to £500million by 2030 – up from about £300m at the end of 2024.
Central to this ambitious growth strategy is a renewed focus on its Day-Today and USave symbol stores, alongside a reinforced proposition for independent operators.
For symbol retailers, UWS aims to roll out substantial refits across 150 stores, backed by a bespoke EPOS system called Upos, developed in collaboration with Scottish retail tech firm MHouse.
The digital overhaul won’t stop there. Some stores will see the installation of screens for promotional content and disruptor strips at shelf edges, supported by partner brands to boost in-store engagement.
On the wholesale side, UWS is planning major infrastructure investments.
The M9 depot at Grangemouth and the Maxwell Road site in Glasgow are both set for extensions, with the addition of a new depot to further strengthen distribution capacity. The chilled and frozen ranges are also getting a significant upgrade to meet growing demand.
For independents, the launch of the United Retail Club is poised to drive footfall by providing exclusive promotions, while a new Loyalty Programme, Vape Club, and Tobacco Club will incentivise retailers to comply with UWS promotional strategies.
These clubs will emphasise gantry compliance, with devices supplied solely by UWS and cigarettes sold at recommended retail price.
UWS is also enhancing its logistics service with new tracking software that alerts retailers to delivery times from multi-temperature trucks, plus a revamped app and website for order placement.
For a wholesaler already recognized for its advanced tech proposition, UWS is clearly doubling down on digital to future-proof its network.
Founded by Mohammad Ramzan and Mohammad Sarwar in 1977, UWS began as one-man counter grocery store in Maryhill, Glasgow.
In 1979, Sarwar and Ramzan purchased a 2000 sq ft premises to keep up with demand and thus UWS was formally founded. Three years later, the brothers purchased a 10,000 sq ft warehouse from Barries Bottles in Pollokshields, Glasgow, and further added soft drinks, household, toiletries, pet-foods and grocery.
