Read full article on pages 43-49
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.
September ’24 – Morrisons launches wholesale data programme for suppliers, in partnership with TWC Group
Morrisons is partnering with TWC Group to enhance the data insight capabilities of its wholesale business. Read full article here.
September ’24 – Scotland-based wholesalers outperforming England and Wales
The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has revealed that Scotland’s wholesalers are outperforming those in England and Wales, based on data from 75 wholesalers across Great Britain.
September ’24 – Booker signs up for TWC convenience data
Wholesaler Booker has signed up to data consultancy TWC Group’s SmartView Convenience, which it operates in partnership with In Touch Group. Read full article.
September’24 – Booker sign-up
Booker has signed up to TWC’s independent convenience market read SmartView Convenience, which it operates in partnership with In Touch Group. Read full article on page 06
September ’24 – Booker signs up to TWC SmartView Convenience
Booker is the latest wholesaler to join SmartView Convenience, TWC’s independent market read in partnership with In Touch Group Full article
September’24 – Booker signs up to TWC’s SmartView Convenience market read
Booker has signed up to TWC’s independent convenience market read SmartView Convenience, which it operates in partnership with In Touch Group. Read full article
September ’24 – Booker signs up to TWC’s SmartView Convenience market read
Read full article here.
August ’24 – Shoppers stay home: Wholesalers can cash in on the Big Night In occasion
Read full article here (page 23-33).
August ’24 – Generating confidence: PMPs reassure consumers they are getting a good deal
Read full article here (page 15).
August ’24 – Yes, We Can
Exclusive new research from data and insight consultancy, TWC, on the ARTD category within convenience reveals Scotland punches well above its weight in this vibrant and innovative category with premium brands shining bright. Read full article on pages...
July ’24 – Embracing Innovation
Dive into the article to learn how TWC Group is leading the way in technological advancements within the wholesale and route-to-market retail/foodservice sectors. Discover how our innovative data solutions are empowering over 75 wholesalers and more than 155 suppliers...
April ’24 – TWC Group announced as James Hall & Co. Ltd’s new data partner
Read full article here.
April ’24 – Unitas signs up to SmartView Convenience – The market read for independent convenience stores
Read full article here.
April ’24 – Unitas signs up to TWC’s c-store market read
Read full article here.
April ’24 – Unitas subscribes to SmartView Convenience market read
Read full article.
March ’24 – Cotswold Fayre and TWC Group collaborate to introduce cutting-edge data service for enhanced business insights
Cotswold Fayre is delighted to announce the imminent launch of its new sales reporting service – “CoFI” (Cotswold Fayre Insights). This represents the first intelligent data system for the speciality food retail sector, which is a small part of the food and drink...
March ’24 – Movers and Shakers
Read full article on page 37.
February ’24 – Groundbreaking
Read full article on page 10.
Artificial Intelligence – A force for good in business
TWC has analysed the performance of AI and how it can be a force for good in business.
February ’24 – CJ Lang extends data partnership with TWC
CJ Lang & Son has renewed its partnership with data consultancy TWC for a further three years. The companies launched their partnership at the end of 2020 and Spar Scotland SalesTrack was launched in 2021, giving suppliers access to wholesale shipments and...
January ’24 – United partners with TWC Group
United Wholesale (Scotland) has extended its partnership with TWC and commissioned a suite of additional reports that track online purchasing behaviour on the wholesaler’s app and website. Read full article here.
January ’24 – UWS launches web ordering analytics reporting platform in partnership with TWC Group
United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) announces a further partnership with TWC Group as the Scottish wholesaler launches a market leading web analytics reporting solution. UWS has extended its partnership with TWC and commissioned a suite of additional reports that track...
January ’24 – CJ Lang extends data partnership with TWC for three more years
SPAR Scotland wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang & Son has renewed its partnership with data consultancy TWC for a further three years.
December ’23 – CJ Lang extends data partnership with TWC
CJ Lang extends data partnership with TWC
January ’24 – C J Lang renews data partnership with TWC for a further 3 years
C J Lang announced its partnership with TWC at the end of 2020 and SPAR Scotland SalesTrack was launched in 2021, giving suppliers access to the company’s wholesale shipments and company owned stores retail data.
What can SmartView Convenience tell us about Prime’s performance in the independent convenience channel?
TWC has analysed the performance of Prime sports and energy drink in the independent convenience channel using SmartView Convenience data
Why do I need SmartView Convenience as well as wholesale shipments data?
SmartView Convenience is complementary to your existing wholesale shipments data, providing a total market read against which you can benchmark your performance.
Do you know who your convenience customer is?
Convenience retail covers a broad spectrum of outlets but the channel is often mistakenly treated as a whole, when in reality the different sub-channels attract different shoppers. Do you actually know who shops in the unaffiliated/wholesaler fascia groups? The results might surprise you!
TWC launching convenience market read
Introducing SmartView Convenience – the most reflective EPOS market read covering independent retail and wholesaler-supplied symbol stores in GB
Predictions for Christmas 2022…. and beyond
We share our thoughts on predictions for Christmas 2022 for wholesale, retail and foodservice.
Independent retailer report – Autumn 2022
**NEW REPORT** How have retailers changed as a result of the pandemic and how can wholesalers and suppliers better support them?
Price marked packs: what do retailers think?
Read our latest research to get under the skin of independent retailers current concerns and how they feel about price marked packs.
CATERFORCE APPOINTS TWC FOR CUSTOMER RESEARCH PROJECT
Foodservice buying group, Caterforce, which brings together nine of the largest independent wholesalers in the UK, has appointed data & digital experts TWC to conduct a customer research project for the group.
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.
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?
Can PMPs drive value perception at a time of rising costs?
It is clear that wholesalers still want PMP's and our data from TWC Trends Spring Edition shows consumer demand too, with two-thirds agreeing that they like PMPs. In the context of rising costs, it is an ongoing challenge for the industry to offer consumers value and...
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.
TWC Trends – Spring Edition 2021
Research on consumer sentiment and attitudes to shopping in: Convenience, Hospitality, Foodservice, Wholesale.
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.”
April 2021: The Future of Wholesale – Are you in Tune with the Market Forces Driving Change?
Launching its inaugural TWC Trends Spring 2021 Report published 15.4.21 https://twcgroup.net/register-twc-trends-1/) – leading intelligence and technology consultancy, TWC, has revealed some key factors in the future of Wholesale and urged businesses to consider these...
Will Wholesalers be forced to shape shift one more time post Covid?
Understandably, foodservice wholesalers are currently pre-occupied with the existential threat they face from a large proportion of their customer base being closed.
Feb ’21 “TWC TRENDS” – WHAT’S HOT? WHAT’S NOT”
Data insight & digital expert, TWC, launches exciting new industry tracker. As the power of knowledge, insight, and keeping abreast of fast-paced change becomes critically powerful, data and digital partner to wholesalers, foodservice operators, and suppliers,...
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.
2 Dec 2020 – Wholesale Manager – UNITAS Wholesale and TWC celebrate additional £250 million of member sales for data service
Wholesale Manager – TWC is celebrating with Unitas Wholesale (the UK’s largest wholesale services company), the incredible growing success of the new Unitas Data Service.
How can the on-trade survive the current covid-19 challenges?
Recent research from TWC highlights opportunities for on-trade premises to survive the current Covid-19 situation.
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…
Nov 2020 – A Hat Trick for TWC with New Appointment to CJ Lang & Son
Nov 20 – TWC, has been appointed to food and drink distributor, CJ Lang & Son, to partner in the development and launch of a new sales data reporting service
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.
A game-changer for Confex as it appoints data and digital experts, TWC
A game-changer for Confex as it appoints data and digital experts, TWC.
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.
3 Sept 2020 – TWC launches TWC Talks
TWC launches TWC Talks providing insights, knowledge, and information for the wholesale sector.
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!)
20 August 2020 – TWC celebrates 100% service success
TWC is celebrating 100% service success with not one customer experiencing downtime on their platforms in the last 12 months.
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?
TWC is nominated for The Grocer Gold Awards 2020 for Technology Initiative of the Year
TWC is delighted to be shortlisted for the Technology Initiative of the Year for Picture Portal, a ground-breaking, pioneering app – set to drive a paradigm shift in how retail and trade compliance is managed here in the UK. Launched in 2019 for Unitas Wholesale...
20 April 2020 – Tune into TWC’s new sound bites
TWC – the data and digital experts – has today launched TWC Sound Bites. A series of sizzling interviews with Wholesaler CEO’s and industry influencers that is being hosted on TWC’s own YouTube channel. First in the series features Simon Hannah, managing director of...
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
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.
17 February 2020 – Next generation Unitas Wholesale Data Service goes live
The UK’s largest buying group, Unitas Wholesale, has launched The Unitas Data Service (UDS), bringing together wholesale shipment data for ex-Landmark and ex-Today’s members into one reporting solution. The Unitas Data Service allows suppliers to convert sales data into meaningful insights to help them build joint business plans with members.
6 January 2020 – In a ground-breaking move, TWC launches Alchemy elements
TWC has launched Alchemy Elements – a modular, cloud-based, multi-platform solution that promises to pack a punch when it comes to reporting, engaging, and rewarding in a way that is unique, simple, and highly cost effective.
13 December 2019 – Wholesale Manager – TWC launches ‘Alchemy WholeView’
TWC is delighted to announce the launch of Alchemy WholeView – a cutting-edge digital platform which allows suppliers to centralise and analyse large amounts of market and named account wholesaler data via one simple analytics dashboard.
27 November 2019 – What do our services cover?
One size never fits all and our services are highly personalised to our clients. Additionally, we have our own suite of modular technology applications called Alchemy (look out for the launch of some exciting new features in the next month), that enables users to learn, engage, reward and aid compliance with their customers.
27 November 2019 – About TWC
As a team, we’ve been imbedded in Wholesale, Retail and the Supply Chain for more than a decade (you will have seen us around), but still people say they are not sure what we actually do! We may surprise you…
13 September 2019 – Unitas Appoints Insight Specialist TWC to Manage Wholesale Shipment Data
TWC, the respected wholesale data, analytics and technology firm, led by Tanya Pepin, has been awarded the Unitas Wholesale’ contract to exclusively manage the buying group's wholesale shipment data, Tanya Pepin, CEO and Co-founder, said: 'It's almost a year since...
3 September 2019 – Tom Fender joins TWC as Development Director
Tom Fender is to join TWC, the route-to-market data specialist, as Development Director, starting with immediate effect.
3 July 2019 – Is Amazon defining the digital space?
TWC’s Tanya Pepin joins panel at FWD Conference 2019 to debate what lessons can be learned from the digital giant…
18 January 2019 – Understanding the oo in Typhoo
Typhoo has appointed insight specialists, TWC, to interpret the wholesale shipment data it purchases and strategically support the brand’s forthcoming relaunch into the Wholesale channel – in order to drive upsell and profitability.
3 December 2018 – ‘Through the Looking Glass’ – Symington’s looks ahead …
Symington’s – a brand building and manufacturing business from Leeds – has appointed insight specialists, TWC, to analyse and interpret its sales performance in order to give the brand’s marketing and CRM teams additional insight to help them develop the forward sales trajectory across wholesale channels.
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.
28 September 2018 – On ye’r bike! TWC heads to Vietnam to raise funds for MAG
Tanya Pepin, director of TWC (The Whole Sale Company), has dusted down her bike, and will be joining industry executives from the Wholesale and Convenience Retail Channel on a 600km bike ride in Vietnam to lend her support and help raise funds for MAG (Mines Advisory Group).
28 September 2018 – TWC’s Tanya Pepin presents at Unitas Conference (Venice)
TWC’s own insight guru, Tanya Pepin, spoke to over 100 member delegates at the Today’s Group Conference this month in Venice, exciting members on the significant benefits that are now available to them through the new insights system that has been specially developed with Today’s Group, designed to deliver business advantage through the sharing of data.
14 August 2018 – New Appointment – Richard Boyles joins TWC Group
TWC, the route to market data specialist, has appointed Richard Boyles to the role of Customer Engagement Director, in order to accelerate growth and drive market penetration, with effect from mid-September 2018. With over 30 years’ experience in confectionery, food...
6 August 2018 – Alchemy WholeView launches affording suppliers unique data management and marketing excellence
Specialist data house, TWC has launched Alchemy WholeView – a solution that offers suppliers that are selling into Retail, Convenience and Foodservice the unique ability to merge the sales data that they are purchasing from each account, in order to deliver optimum sales insights and achieve marketing excellence.
28 June 2018 – The Whole Sale Company relaunches as TWC
Further to its recent fast-track growth into new channels, boutique data specialist, The Whole Sale Company, has re launched as TWC.
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… 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.