Athif Sarwar, managing director of United Wholesale (Scotland), has been sentenced to three years in jail after being convicted of an £845,000 money laundering scam.

Midway through the first ever National Independents' Week (NIW), campaigners claimed that activity had increased tenfold since the launch in 2004 of the sponsoring My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign.

A remarkable improvement has been achieved in reducing duty fraud, according to speakers at the FWD's Drinksummit conference last week.

Athif Sarwar, managing director of United Wholesale (Scotland), has been convicted of an £845,000 money laundering scam.

Booker Group chief executive Charles Wilson has given himself the challenge of increasing profitability of Bill and Lesley Brown's store at Frankmarsh, Barnstaple, by £10,000 in the next 18 months.

Blueheath is still operating as a Key Lekkerland member despite becoming part of Booker Group as a result of a surprise deal with the cash and carry group.

CJ Lang's Martex cash and carry division has become the latest wholesaler to cater for the growing Polish community in the UK with the introduction of a new range of Polish products.

Batleys has launched a guidance pack for retailers in its Xtra Local retail club to help them develop their convenience offering.

The Nestlé Rowntree Manager of the Month Award for June has been presented to Tony Johnson, manager of the Bestway depot at Darwen in Lancashire.

Nield Group has been bought by its board of directors in a management buy-out.

Musgrave Group, which owns MBL, has reported its eighth year of consecutive profit growth.

Many believe the old adage that it is difficult, to prove a negative. Likewise, it has not been that easy for the Federation of Wholesale Distributors to provide the Competition Commission with proof positive that the multiple supermarkets extract disproportionately better terms from suppliers than those available for wholesalers.

New research by YouGov confirms that big brands and wholesalers can boost sales by supporting and encouraging retailers to re-double their involvement with the local community. The connection between the community and the local independent outstrips any similar links with the giant multiples, says YouGov.

MBL has promoted Neil Whitelaw to head of distribution operations, managing all of its distribution centres.

Martha Ward has been appointed to the newly created role of sales development and implementation manager for Spar.

Cobra Beer has announced the appointment of Adrian McKeon as its new chief executive.

Kerry Foods Direct to Store (KFDTS), chilled distribution service to the convenience store sector, has appointed Andrew Redstone as its new sales director.

? Job title: senior buyer

== June ==

Scottish wholesalers were told the diversity of their businesses was one of the strengths of the sector.

The foodservices division of Scottish-based CJ Lang & Son held its annual golf day for customers, suppliers and staff.

The Confectioners Benevolent Fund has renamed its Annual Banquet, Dining with the President.

EXCLUSIVE. First, a world exclusive. Vigilante may hereby be exposing a plot with political resonances following sinister happenings in London.

Sanderson, software solution provider to the delivered wholesale and cash and carry industries, has won a contract to supply its Swords solution to Today's Group member Turner & Wrights.

Kentish Match, an independent wholesaler in Orpington, has invested in its first new generation Mercedes Sprinter van from Sparshatts of Kent.

Foodservice wholesaler T Quality has reported significant performance improvements after its £235,000 investment in the Accord system from Business Computer Projects.

DED has introduced the Metrologic FocusBT omni-directional scanner.

Critics who believe that the media only broadcasts messages of doom about the future of the independent retailer were pleasantly surprised on the first day of June when the Daily Mirror and the Daily Record featured happy and constructive stories about local family businesses. More than six million shoppers read about independents who are involved in their local communities in a constructive way - helping out, making a contribution and looking forward to a stable business in future.

While Mandip Kaur has been in the independent retail industry for 35 years and has successfully run two convenience stores over that time, she realised that, despite her experience, she could still learn a thing or two.

Grendon Supermarket in Atherstone, Warwick, underwent a full re-fit, with owner Rizwan Amin making a significant financial investment in his store. Then following a recommendation from a fellow independent retailer, Rizwan enlisted the help of the FWD Take Home Blueprint for advice on what he should be stocking and also merchandising and layout.

It's in the genes. Steve Parfett's grandfather was an independent grocer living over the shop in Chiswick, west London, in the 1930s. Is it too fanciful to assume that Steve, managing director of Parfetts Cash & Carry and a, if not the, leading militant campaigner for a better deal for independents, was subjected to a genetic boost from his granddad?

P&G Professional's products do not have as high a profile as many of the company's other brands but its contribution to the overall operation cannot be overlooked. Mat Baker, country director UK & Ireland, P&G Professional, says the unit has foodservice sales in excess of £100m and adds: "It's a big growth engine for the overall business in terms that it is growing significantly faster than the retail business."

What are the first things consumers cut back on when there is an economic slow down? Eating out, drinking out and holidays. Is there going to be an economic slowdown? You bet there is. The level of personal debt in the UK is scary (one third of all debt in Europe is owed by Brits).

Typhoo has extended its range and been given a facelift designed to convey quality, freshness and expertise.

Lyons Seafoods is targeting the brined shellfish market with a new range of products.

Unilever Foodsolutions has revitalised its Hellmann's Dressings range for the summer.

Heinz Foodservice is driving sales of glass bottles of its Tomato Ketchup and HP Brown Sauce with its Table Top Community promotion.

Schöller has introduced six new flavours to its Fischer ice cream and sorbet collection.

One way to start the day right is with a healthy breakfast. With the options available ever expanding the consumer has more choice on what to eat, and more choice of healthy options.

Household products and toiletries may not sell as quickly as some other lines such as confectionery, but they do tend to have a higher price tag and much higher cash margin, so it's not surprising a lot of wholesalers' customers stock them. But it's not an easy option for independent retailers because of the competition they face from the supermarkets.

Cats and dogs are becoming more than pets to us, they are one of the family. Mintel's research among pet owners shows that two thirds agree with this statement. Owners are happy to spend whatever is needed to provide the best for their pet, from food to toys to treats. This could go a way to explaining why half of dogs and up to a fifth of cats are now classed as obese, and there is also a growing demand for healthier foods and diet products.

P&G is launching Pringles Rice Infusions, supported by an £11m brand support campaign.

Buxton Natural Mineral Water is offering the chance to win over £1.2m and pairs of tickets for Wimbledon.

PepsiCo has teamed up with Gallo Family Vineyards to offer a Walkers Sensations Divine with Wine promotion.

Cadbury Trebor Bassett is aiming to reinvigorate the sugar bag market with the re-launch of Bassett's Allsorts.

General Millis has launched its Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars into the impulse sector.

Fisherman's Friend is launching its first summer advertising campaign.

Britvic Soft Drinks has a 'Winbledon' on-pack promotion for Robinsons this year.

Coca-Cola Enterprises is offering consumers the chance to win over one million iPods and iTunes songs.

Haribo has an advertising burst running until the end of the month, designed to increase sales of Maoam.

Birds Eye has launched the Birds Eye BBQ range.

Coors Brewers is claiming a first in the mainstream lager market with the launch of thermochromic labelling on all bottles and cans of Carling.

InterContinental Brands has introduced a new one litre bottle of its St Helier Pear Cider.

Gaymer Cider Company has announced a £1m investment in Blackthorn cider, focused on its south-west England heartland.

Mateus is investing £1.5m in new TV advertising to drive awareness and trial over the summer, and is adding a new varietal, Shiraz, to its Original and Tempranillo rosé offering.

Ever optimistic, we have built up stock levels and are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us -sunshine is preferred but there is still plenty of soup in the warehouse.

Britvic's improved performance will be boosted by the launch of Robinson's Smooth Juice and Fruit Shoot 100% juice brands and its recent Irish acquisition could lead to further developments and strengthen its position in the water market. ACS reminds independents that store staff are their most valuable asset so why then does it raise concern over the recently announced increases in the minimum wage. What price should we put on these often unsung heroes?

The combination of wholesaler and supplier presentations, the exposé on duty fraud and market observations from Nielsen and Off Licence News group editor Graham Holter for Drinksummit 2007 worked very well.

Meanwhile, the 100 days of great soft drink sales' campaign backed by its iPod on-pack offers, the limited edition Coke with Orange launch, a million free football tickets and some excellent TV ads will help sales along nicely, thank you.

opened in Kensington.