The Country Range Group (CRG) is flying, and suppliers not already doing business with the company are in serious danger of missing out.

Brakes has launched what it claims is the first own brand Fairtrade product in the foodservice sector.

Woodward Foodservice chief executive Ed Hyslop was a late addition to the line-up of speakers at Catersummit last week, after his company took over DBC Foodservice.

More than 80 people from management teams across the Landmark Wholesale Group attended a study tour in the West Midlands last month. Delegates from as far away as the Scottish Highlands visited Hyperama's depot in West Bromwich (left), AF Blakemore at Saltley and East End's Smethwick depot, with lunch provided at East End Food's West Bromwich plant.

ProWholesaler has extended its range of services for readers with the launch of its own website.

Booker has applied its rollback programme to its wine range, cutting the prices on more than 70 wines.

HIM has unveiled the first results from its Cash & Carry Caterer Tracking Programme.

== Premier goes online ==

== Nestlé restructures ==

Cadbury Trebor Bassett is back on track with sales in August slightly ahead year on year, according to Keith Williams, channel controller - cash and carry.

Booker has launched a stationery range branded Home Office, which is delivered direct to retailers' stores through Booker's drop shipment service.

Managers at BWG, the Irish distribution giant which owns the Spar and Mace franchises in the Irish Republic, and the Spar wholesaler for south-west England Appleby Westward, are expected to complete the purchase of the company from Electra Partners.

United Wholesale (Scotland) has opened its first dedicated delivery depot. Located at Queenslie, north of Glasgow, it will offer 1,000 ambient lines to customers, complementing the group's two cash and carries in south Glasgow.

The Nestlé Rowntree Manager of the Month for October is awarded to Bobby Hayre, general manager of Batleys in Leeds.

Sterling Supergroup celebrated 40 years of trading at its conference at the Palace Hotel, Torquay, last month.

Online delivered wholesaler Blueheath has revealed that the restructuring of its logistics has hit fulfilment levels from its depot at Thurrock, Essex.

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors was invited to attend at the Competition Commission in London in early September. This important meeting was held to enable the FWD to provide evidence to the CC in pursuance of its on-going inquiry into the UK grocery market.

The 2007 annual conference of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors will bring a topical focus on the food and drink marketplace and the need to protect against further erosion of consumer choice.

Another in-store trial selling spirits from open shelves near the till, has sent sales soaring by 18%.

? Job title: business development manager

Len McCormick has retired from his position as deputy chairman of Batleys.

Musgrave Budgens Londis has promoted Mark Torpey to the role of head of retailer support for its independently owned Budgens stores.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has announced the appointment of James Lowman as chief executive. He will leave his current role as director of public affairs at ACS on November 1 and take up his new appointment with immediate effect. He replaces retiring chief executive David Rae.

== november ==

Top suppliers and top performers from Bestway and Batleys staff were recognised and presented with awards at the annual Bestway Performance Awards held at Her Majesty's Royal Courts of Justice.

Five retailers have each won a 26-inch LCD TV courtesy of a promotion run in conjunction with Mars Believe and Palmer & Harvey McLane.

November 29-30 sees the World Food Market take place at the Excel in London for its second year.

RECOGNITION. Trade associations have a responsibility to promote the value of their members in addition to defending their interests, and this double duty is a defining characteristic of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors.

Dee Bee Cash & Carry has acquired its own bespoke EPoS system, Re-Scan, to implement in its Today's symbol group stores.

Euro Foods Group has put five Isuzu NQR 7.5 tonne rigid trucks on the road, all featuring the NEES 2 Easyshift transmission. The five trucks are involved in the distribution previously managed by six.

Cert Drinks Network, part of the Cert Group, has implemented a state of the art vehicle satellite tracking system across its entire fleet.

Freeway Commerce has supplied its Spectrum 3 e-commerce trading platform to Windrush Frozen Foods.

HIM's Cash & Carry Retailer Tracking Programme, which has just interviewed 3,100 retailers across branches of all the major cash and carry operators in the UK, suggests a number of retailers' needs are not being satisfied by operators.

The FWD My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign is planning to mount a nationwide consumer PR drive prior to Christmas reminding shoppers of the fundamental ways in which local independent retailers are involved in the community at Christmas.

The new Take Home Blueprint for Ales, Lagers and Ciders shows how the scheme is keeping up with developments in the crucial alcoholic drinks section of the business.

Since phoning the Take Home Blueprint hotline, Jamil Ahmed, owner of Archie's News, Food and Wine Stores in Newcastle, has received a Blueprint makeover from the team and has seen an incredible uplift in his alcohol sales. In fact, week-on-week sales are increasing by as much as 30% on wine and up to 60% on spirits.

Colin Birchall has every reason to feel happy. The managing director of the Country Range Group believes it is the leader in independent foodservice - and that the group's latest figures are proof that this success shows no sign of letting up. Last year CRG achieved growth of 15% on its own brand range and pushed up sales of branded products by 12%, and this year growth has accelerated and is standing at 17% on both categories after the first six months.

Eating out is a significant contributor to the nation's intake of food. As a result, and quite rightly, eating out is scanned carefully by many agencies to see how much it contributes to the health, and the ill-health, of the consumer.

The Authentic Food Company is launching 11 new eastern inspired dishes and accompaniments.

Heinz Foodservice is offering 25,000 caterers a free trial of its condensed soup range to encourage its use on menu.

Askey has introduced Brandy Snap Discs to help chefs add another dimension to their desserts.

Bel Foodservice has introduced the Cantadou range of soft French cream cheeses which can be used as part of a garnish or butter..

Pritchitts has launched Fresh Viva Milk in individual 200ml cartons of whole and semi-skimmed fresh milk super-pasteurised with an extended chilled shelf life.

According to Mintel the market for general snack products grew by 3% from 2001-2005 to reach a value in excess of £8bn. Three quarters of adults snack on the go, creating more than five billion adult on-the-go snacking occasions each year in the UK, which is estimated to generate £3.6bn in retail revenue for on-the-go snacks. Adding to this are children who spend a further £883m of their income on confectionery, snacks and drinks each year.

Wholesalers and independent retailers who get their spirits range right can rake in healthy profits in the run-up to Christmas, even if the major multiples tend to dominate with an overall market share of about 70%.

Cadbury Trebor Bassett has launched Cadbury Flake Dark, backed by a £3.8m marketing spend across Coronation Street sponsorship, sampling and PR.

Highland Spring has launched a new limited edition Halloween pack of Highland Spring for Kids. The 12-pack of 330ml bottles feature spooky water droplet characters, Halloween imagery and a panel for kids to write their name.

Tangerine Confectionery, UK distributor of Anthon Berg, has launched Anthon Berg Rémy Martin Handmade Liqueur Fudge.

Quaker is aiming to help consumers make the perfect bowl of porridge by giving away free scoops.

Masterfoods is spending £1m on its 'Proud sponsors of British winter' TV campaign this winter.

GlaxoSmithKline is set to support the launch of Horlicks Light Malt Caramel Dream.

Procter & Gamble is launching an on-pack Christmas promotion 'Pass the Pringles presents'.

Birds Eye has launched two new variants to its premium Pub Specials range.

Pepsi-Cola UK has unveiled an updated advertising campaign to support Pepsi Max. The new print campaign launches with a UK wide outdoor campaign.

Vimto has launched a UK-wide promotion that will offer consumers the chance to win £1m.

InBev is supporting Beck's Vier with a national outdoor and online advertising campaign.

FGL Wine Estates is unveiling a major re-positioning and marketing program for Rosemount which will be available from next month.

Bath Rugby Football Club kicked off the new season with a sponsorship at their Recreation Ground in the shape of Kronenbourg 1664.

Two Oceans is extending its portfolio of South African Wines with two new dual varietals, a Colombard Chardonnay and a Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cider continues to make headlines and win fans. Perhaps the reason it has captured the popular imagination so successfully is its delicious lightness and suitability for every possible occasion - and that, of course, includes Christmas.

Problems have already begun this year with many of our regulars sourcing leading brands through dubious supply channels at prices well below our cost. HM Revenue & Customs are aware and are investigating but it is inconceivable that major brewers don't know what's going on or can do nothing to stop it. We want action now.

Not to mention new store openings, massively increased selling area, a growing c-store and forecourt estate, non food expansion, home delivery and a new catalogue business. Oh, and screwing suppliers to the floor!

So, 'It' girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the new face of Heinz Baked Beans. That should put the wind up Branston and HP. Really, though, how much investment are brand owners committing to celebrity links, programme sponsorship and product placement these days. We need the money too, guys!

In spite of our remarkable growth in new world wines, particularly Californian, there is still plenty of interest in France, particularly from the on trade.

How often are we 'in stock', yet the goods are not available at the point of sale? Product is easily lost on the high racks so we must improve our replenishment systems. Suppliers must also keep their delivery promises if we are to stay in control of the situation.