From February, Booker has confirmed all independent retailers will be charged a flat £34.95 delivery fee on all orders. This will come as a further blow for many community-owned shops, who already face challenges securing the delivery of core goods through major wholesalers.
As the major wholesaler supplying community shops throughout the UK, Plunkett is already in discussion with Booker about other practices which challenge the operations of community shops, including minimum orders, frequency of ordering requirements and margins on price-marked goods.
We remain in discussion with Booker and will continue to represent the views and interests of our members with an aim to secure a better deal, so they in turn can continue to provide affordable, essential goods to their customers.
If you represent a community-owned shop and wish to share examples of how your business has been impacted by these or other practices, please get in touch email: info@plunkett.co.uk so that our representations continue to be founded on your experiences.
As a membership charity, supporting community-owned businesses across the UK, we seek to represent the interests and views of the network within our policy and advocacy work.
