A recent investigation from Better Wholesaling’s sister title, betterRetailing, has uncovered a Brexit stockpile list symbol groups and wholesalers have given to retail store owners in preparation for a no-deal exit , following government warnings.
The documents show that Nisa has advised partnered stores to stock 40 core ambient products the group believes “could be significantly diminished by panic-buying or food shortages” after the planned EU exit day on 31 October. “We have decided to be proactive and release these to our partners to buy into as required,” said Nisa.
Canned grocery lines, bottled water and baby milk formula all feature heavily in the list, with a spokesmen for Bestway saying that it is “stocked for any eventuality”, but agreed that retailers should start holding stock where practical.
Industry expert David Gilroy believes a few wholesalers will be doing the same thing, but less openly. “What they are doing is quite smart, as long as the wholesaler has stock to back it up. It takes pressure off of the wholesaler.”
Newly-released government worst-case scenario Brexit planning documents reveal fresh food supplies will decrease, but the UK would avoid “an overall shortage of food”. However, the government did admit Brexit could “reduce availability and choice of products and increase price.”
