Pictured above: (l-r) Landmark Wholesale's Gordon Walker and
Dean Attwell, Oakland International's MD
Multi temperature supply chain specialist in warehousing and
logistics, Oakland International, is set to celebrate their very
own 'Independents Day' following the firm's subsidiary Oakland
Distribution's successes in supporting independent retailers and
wholesalers, a story that began a little over three years ago.
Since 2008, and with the launch of Oakland Distribution, firm
focus has been placed on independent retailers and wholesalers,
with Oakland signing 32 members of Landmark's wholesale estate to
an initial contract, a contract that now extends to over 110
wholesalers across the UK and includes Parfetts, Blakemores and
many others, delivering a turnover in excess of £10 million
in this year alone.
Oakland International's Managing Director, Dean Attwell, stated:
"The independent sector is big, but it lacks the discipline the
multiples impose on product flow and centralised distribution,
resulting in costs that can be 40% higher in the supply chain than
the big five retailers. Oakland can and does eliminate this gap for
independent retailers using our winning consolidation scheme."
Having recently won the prestigious Business Initiative of the
Year award at this year's The Grocer Gold Awards 2011, with over
250 chilled SKU's handled by Oakland Distribution every day, in
addition to the 300 plus ambient products, the firm now believes it
has one of the most attractive independent retailer offers
available in the marketplace.
Said Dean "A strong chilled offer will be essential to build
footfall and increase sales; with competitive pricing key to
success. Nisa, Spar, and Musgrave have all shown how this model of
shop can succeed. With Oakland Distribution working on volume, we
deliberately run on low margins to ensure we cannot be beaten on
price, and with our aim to increase turnover to £64 million
by 2015, it will more than treble our current level. "
With over 6,000 convenience stores from the remaining 75,000
independents currently operated by the big five, Oakland forecasts
that if the supply chain relationship doesn't change, this number
is set for accelerated growth.