In the households goods sector, most wholesalers are small businesses. Various senior managers from leading wholesalers were interviewed by Key Note and expressed their views on several key issues. Concern over the shrinking independent retail customer basis and the damaging competition from the retail multiple giants and newly arrived distant warehouses. A view that there are too many wholesalers and further rationalisation will occur. The customer base can be expanded by wholesalers diversifying into other sectors and by improved customer services.
Customer care is vital for retaining customers.
Packaging is a supplier not a wholesaler problem. There is a trend towards central warehousing. The dismantling of EC trade barriers has impacted little upon UK wholesalers. Wholesalers are suspicious of new product launches. They believe that most fail.