Availability levels at wholesalers is returning to an average of 90%, but senior wholesale bosses have warned there is “still room for improvement”.
Over the past year, the pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have all impacted availability in wholesalers.
One wholesale boss told our sister title RN they had seen availability increase from lows of 60% to 90%, but warned some suppliers were still affected by issues.
They added: “The overall trend is better at the low end of 90% after a disastrous year, but we’re still getting tons of short deliveries from some suppliers.
“Some, such as confectionery brands, are getting worse and delivering less than 60% of what we ordered.
“Pet pouches are also being constrained as the manufacturer isn’t meeting the uplift in the demand from customers. Availability is getting better, but there’s still room for improvement.”
Similarly, United Wholesale Scotland managing director Chris Gallacher said that he had seen an improvement in supply. He told RN: “We’re in a much better place with availability. Spirits is a good example.
“Everyone has worked hard after a nightmare year. The suppliers are getting their acts together.”
Wholesale expert David Gilroy attributed the improvements to better forecasting and forward planning from suppliers.
