Where would the average independent supermarket get their produce from ?

[desantos]

Types of supermarkets i'm particualy interested in are the asian owned ones that appear in asian areas of the UK.

[Buenchico]

Many independent grocery stores get most of their stock from the big cash-and-carry wholesalers, such as Booker (who have 172 branches across the UK).

Asian retailers also use specialist suppliers, such as Natco:
http://www.natcocc.com/web/aboutus.htm

Chris

[desantos]

thanks....

just to add, where would those traders get their stock from too ?

great help

[Buenchico]

Firms like Booker are big enough to trade directly with manufacturers (or importers, as appropriate).

Most other cash-and-carry retailers will also receive their stock (or collect it) directly from UK manufacturers. Where stock is imported, the bigger wholesalers will probably deal (at least in part) directly with overseas manufacturers, whereas the smaller firms will probably order through specialist importers.

Chris

[factor-fiction]

In addition to using wholesalers I know a few small shopkeepers (keepers of small shops not vertically challenged shopkeepers) who supplement their stocks by buyig trolleys-full of 'loss leader' products /BOGOFF offers from supermarkets such as Netto. For example if there is a special offer on Heinz Beans of 4 cans for £1 they might buy five packs know they can sell individual cans for maybe 70p each. Or 12 cans of coke for £1.99 can be resold separately for maybe £5.

[maclarencat]

A lot of small shops belong to buying groups and purchase in bulk from manufacturers receiving bigger discounts for being part of the buying group.