Introducing SmartView Convenience – the most reflective EPOS market read covering independent retail and wholesaler-supplied symbol stores in GB
Wholesale is our passion - we live it and we love it
We've walked the walk and we talk the talk!
We understand what works and what doesn't in the channel.
Predictions for Christmas 2022…. and beyond
We share our thoughts on predictions for Christmas 2022 for wholesale, retail and foodservice.
Operating in times of high inflation – advice from a seasoned professional
We discuss the highly topical issue of how wholesalers can survive stagflation, with TWC Chairman Mike McGee sharing his learned experience of working through high inflation in the past.
Do loyalty schemes need a rethink to engage younger shoppers?
Whilst a third of those aged 55+ claimed to be a member of a grocery loyalty scheme, just 7% of those aged 18-34 did. Surely this is at odds, with those most in need of cheaper prices, least likely to be able to access them – and a strong rationale for creating a loyalty scheme that resonates with these younger shoppers.
Are fascias the loyalty card of wholesale?
Most wholesalers look to recruit the best retailers into a fascia and lock in a proportion of their spend, but what about those retailers that won’t be limited to a fascia? We believe the answer lies in data, with technology monitoring and rewarding customers for the right behaviour.
The last thing wholesale needs is a race to the bottom on price
The watch out of focussing on the price differential – and arguing it doesn’t exist – is that then we simply drive convenience retail prices down, creating a race to the bottom on RSP which directly squeezes the margin which must be shared between a retailer and a wholesaler.
Are consumers prepared to pay more in convenience?
Are consumers prepared to pay more in convenience? Our conclusion: a 10% price differential continues to exist for Tesco and Sainsbury’s convenience stores, so this is the price point that independent retailers must try to compete with.
Is it Artificial Intelligence – or Business Intelligence – that wholesale needs?
There is a lot of buzz about Artificial Intelligence in wholesale right now, but the first step must be to effectively harness the data we already have and ensure it is clean and in one place. Artificial intelligence builds on business intelligence.
Price increases & the impact on shared margin
There is a lot of noise about price rises across the supply chain currently but how should this work in the wholesale channel? Nobody expects an independent retailer to sell a product at the same price as a Tesco supermarket, so suppliers need to ensure that revised margin calculations allow indies to compete on price (within convenience) AND make a living.
An end of year message from Tom Fender
TWC’s Tom Fender shares his end of year message and some key findings from TWC Trends Autumn Edition 2021.
Levelling the playing field with the mults – Part 2: forecasting and stock management
The challenge of forecasting and the efficiency of the supply chain through wholesale is a thorny issue. Those operating in the channel are often left feeling that stock levels and replenishment requirements play second fiddle to the retail multiples – but this is hardly surprising, argues TWC Director, Tanya Pepin in her latest blog.
Could a more transparent wholesale channel benefit both suppliers and wholesalers?
The real and present danger of malware in the Wholesale sector
Malware and specifically ransomware is a real and present danger for the wholesale sector due to the huge sums of money turned over and the high reliance on systems. This is a timely reminder to our clients that data security is not a drill and needs to be actively managed, including careful selection of data partners.
Catching the Tiger by the Tail …
C-stores have a timely opportunity to catch the ‘Health and wellness Tiger’ by the tail… But will they?
Watch out – there’s an elephant about…!
Here at TWC we work with lots of suppliers, helping them interpret the data they secure from wholesalers (and now retailers!). But, there’s an elephant in the room….
COUNTING THE COST OF DATA
The launch of TWC’s new product WholeView in the last couple of weeks has driven more conversations than usual with suppliers about the data they purchase. Through these conversations, it has become very apparent that supplier organisations have varying approaches to data strategy.
Data – levelling the playing field with the mults…
Our vision at TWC is to enable wholesale to harness data to drive channel growth. We want a thriving and vibrant channel that competes on a level playing field with other routes to market.
TWC Trends – The Rise of Subscription Services
In the last few weeks, a few headlines have caught my eye.
Firstly, the UK has officially become the 3rd largest ecommerce economy in the world, behind China, and only just behind South Korea (by only 0.1% of GDP).
Wholesale – a Channel Ripe for Disruption, but is it?
A colleague showed me a crowd funding pitch for a digital disruption business, which is aiming to be an online consolidator for retailers to buy direct from suppliers because, and I quote: retailers are “squeezed by middle men who make the vast majority of margins.”
Has the UK Convenience Sector Reached a Digital ‘Tipping Point’?
‘Maybe’ argues TWC’s Tom Fender….but yet again, industry commentators seem to be missing a key point. Over the last few years, we have seen the Retail Multiples reverse engineer themselves into Convenience retail, either by Tesco acquiring Booker or One Stop,...
TWC Talks: Adapting your Business to Emerging Trends
We are at war, make no mistake about it. This year-long battle with our unknown enemy is long, tedious and with an uncertain timeline. Our life has changed beyond recognition, yet parts of it remain familiar, like two parallel worlds colliding. Overdramatic? Fast...
TWC Talks: The Future of Convenience is Hybrid Stores, is the Future of Wholesale Hybrid too?
TWC Director Tanya Pepin discusses recent mergers in the market and looks at what this could mean for our industry.
Convenience Conversation Needs To Focus on More Than the Mults
Tom Fender unpacks Which? Magazine’s recent report on convenience stores.
Tom Fender: Bestway’s Purchase of Costcutter (CSG)
TWC’s Tom Fender looks at the implications of of the news that Bestway will purchase Costcutter Supermarket Group.
Tom Fender: Retailers’ opportunities grow as consumer behaviour changes
TWC Talks – TWC’s recent research reveals that consumer values are changing. Data can help you capitalise on this…
It’s time to think about your online experience
TWC’s Claire Murray takes a look at how digital and ecommerce optimisation can help wholesalers get more customers. (With a deep dive into what Screwfix does!)
Data-driven companies massively outperform their rivals – we have the stats to prove it
Tom Fender looks at the implications of becoming data-driven and how that affects the competitive landscape of wholesale.
Wholesaling after Charles Wilson – what lies ahead?
TWC’s Tanya Pepin looks at the tenure of Charles Wilson at Booker and speculates on what his departure could mean for the channel.
Tom Fender: it’s time to get resistant to the impact of change
In this week’s TWC Talks, Tom discusses how change will continue happening and operators need to ensure their data centres and digital infrastructure are up to the task.
Tom Fender: you’re losing money by not utilising accurate data
Tom Fender looks at how much revenue businesses have lost through inaccurate data and points out that *now* is the time for data transformation.
Tanya Pepin: the benefits of data visualisation (it all begins with Peter Snow)
TWC’s Tanya Pepin talks about the impacts that data visualisation can have on your business (and the effect it’s had on TWC!)
Tom Fender: the next wholesale battleground: e-commerce?
TWC’s Tom Fender looks at recent e-commerce stats and asks – is this the new battleground for wholesalers?
Lindsay Herbert: digital Transformation for Wholesale: Don’t quit your day job
Lindsay Herbert, the author of internationally praised book, Digital Transformation, joins TWC Talks to discuss digital transformation in wholesale.
Tom Fender: Amazon takes further steps into the grocery market – worrying or all just hype?
As Amazon takes further steps into the grocery space, TWC’s Tom Fender looks at the implications.
Rachel James: data quality: would you put your house on the market during a renovation?
TWC’s Consulting Services Director, Rachel, discusses data cleansing and the benefits it can bring.
Tom Fender: are suppliers and wholesalers throwing money down the drain by not scrutinising data?
TWC’s Tom Fender asks: are suppliers and wholesalers throwing money down the drain not scrutinising data?
Tom Fender: licensed operators are embracing digital – there’s no going back now…
A recent visit to the pub has got Tom Fender thinking about the use of data in hospitality – and wholesale.
Tom Fender: Domino’s – now an e-commerce company that does pizza
Development Director, Tom, discusses how Domino’s changed their company mindset and achieved huge growth.
Tom Fender: home delivery & click and collect – local retailers’ opportunity to become data-led?
TWC’s Tom Fender asks: could the recent explosion of delivery and click and collect present a unique opportunity for retailers?
Tom Fender: The beauty and the power of upsell
TWC’s Development Director, Tom Fender, discusses how using data to improve personalised upselling should be an area of focus.
Personalisation can’t be done without high quality customer data
TWC’s Development Director, Tom Fender, discusses the advantages and difficulties of personalisation in wholesale.
Tom Fender: Blog Edition 3 – Covid-19 – Likely Impact on Wholesale
In the wake of Covid-19, we ask what will happen to the Channel, long-term, and look at putting the consumer at the heart of this
Tanya Pepin: Blog Edition 2 – Covid-19 – The Digital Impact
TWC explores how working practices have changed because of Covid-19 and asks; how many will stick?
Tanya Pepin: Blog Edition 1 – Covid-19 – ‘Poacher turned game-keeper’ as foodservice collaboration shows signs of going a step further…
In the wake of Covid-19, we asked; what will consumers make of big pack sizes and changes to the way they shop?
Wholesalers take on the mults as ‘wholetailing’ takes over …
We’ve recently seen seismic shifts in consumer purchasing, coupled with ordering and fulfilment challenges by UK grocery retailers.
Tanya Pepin: how to… stand out in meetings
TWC’s Tanya Pepin was one of Women in Wholesale’s speed-mentors in April 2019 with her inter-active session on ‘how to stand out in meetings’.
Mike McGee: wholesalers and supply chain efficiency
Former Landmark CEO, Mike McGee talks about Wholesalers and Supply Chain Efficiency and the route to maximising profit.
Tanya Pepin: how to… develop a data strategy – wholesalers
If you sell into the larger wholesale/cash and carry operators chances are you’re buying their EPOS data. Whether you want to or not!
Tanya Pepin: how to… develop your data strategy – suppliers
As a supplier, if you sell into the larger wholesale/cash and carry operators there is a good chance that you are buying their EPOS data – and that’s whether you want to or not!
Tanya Pepin: how to… buy wholesale data
Data is easy to buy from most accounts and can deliver real value, but there are a few areas to consider and pertinent questions we’d advise you to ask before signing up to what may be a long-term commitment.
Tanya Pepin: the power of data. Wake up and smell the coffee …
Co-Founder and Director of TWC, Tanya Pepin talks about the power of data and the need to wake up and smell the coffee.
The customer is our hero …
Rachel James, TWC’s Consulting Services Director discusses how making the customer your hero brings bonuses for all parties.
Never judge a book by its cover
TWC Director, Tanya Pepin, discusses the importance of measuring the ‘right’ data and how not to be distracted by data.