• Drinks to be added to Glasgow south side unit
• Edinburgh depot planned for 2014
• Former Today’s chief joins board
GLASGOW-based wholesaler United Wholesale (Scotland) is to double the size of its depot in the south side of the city, introduce drinks sales to the unit and will move into the Edinburgh wholesale scene next year.
United’s managing director Asim Sarwar broke the news at a special suppliers dinner held as part of the organisation’s trade show last month.
As part of the plans, alcohol – which was once sold at a separate site in the city’s West Street and is currently carried in the company’s other Glasgow depot, its large site at Queenslie in the east of the city – will also be introduced to Maxwell Road.
Sarwar, who is also president of the Scottish Wholesale Association, said: “For our licensed suppliers it’s a huge opportunity given that 85% of retailers who currently shop at Maxwell Road, sell licensed product in their stores.
“Given our track record with both West St and Queenslie I think it is fair to say that Glasgow is set for one hell of a shake up.”
United also plans to open a 65,000sq ft east-of-Scotland depot at Newbridge, Edinburgh in September 2014.
And Sarwar announced that Rodney Hunt former chairman of the Today’s Group, the buying operation for a series of independent wholesalers, including United, would be joining the United Wholesale (Scotland) board as a non-executive director.
“I am absolutely delighted that a man of his calibre, with his vision and a lifetime of experience in this sector at the highest level will be by my side as we at United go on this journey to becoming the biggest wholesaler in Scotland,” said Sarwar.
