Bestway managing director Dawood Pervez has called on the industry to work together to ensure fairer distribution following new government measures designed to reduce the rate of coronavirus infections.
He has called on suppliers to work with wholesalers and retailers to ensure fair movement of stock to all. “We’re constantly monitoring changes in the economy, and in consumer shopping behaviours. And, the early indicators show that consumers may be looking to purchase more of key product lines over growing concerns that we will see a return to panic shopping earlier in the year.
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“Whilst we do not expect consumer demand to reach the same levels that peaked in April and May of this year, it’s important that none of us forget the crucial role that local community stores have played throughout the Covid pandemic,” he added.
Pervez also described many of the UK’s localised independent retailers as a literal lifeline for consumers who are vulnerable, cannot get home delivery slots or simply need more help. “Recent research showed a significant uplift of 45% in shoppers using their local independent retailer and what none of us want to see, is a return to panic buying across retail in general. In particular, we want to avoid stock ‘shorting’ into independent retailers, which will simply exacerbate the challenges seen across grocery.”
