Consolidating vs Spreading Your Orders
The fundamental tension in kitchen procurement is deciding between a "broadline" distributor (who sells everything from bleach to beef) and specialist local suppliers. Broadliners hit minimum order values easily but often mask high markups on fresh produce. Specialists offer quality but require managing 10 different invoices a week.
Major UK Broadline Distributors (Q3 2023 Data)
| Supplier Name | Typical MOQ | Delivery Schedule | Strongest Category | Credit Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes (Sysco) | £150 - £250 | Up to 6 days/week | Frozen & Ambient | 30 days EOM |
| Bidfood | £150 | Up to 6 days/week | Dry Goods & Non-Food | 28 days |
| Reynolds | £200 | 6 days/week (AM) | Fresh Produce | 14-30 days |
| Booker Wholesale (Delivery) | £100 | Varies heavily by branch | Alcohol & Soft Drinks | Cash / Short term |
The "Loss Leader" Trap
A common sales tactic among major distributors is to offer steep discounts on highly visible items (like cooking oil or chips) to win your account. They then quietly raise the prices on secondary items (like spices, cleaning chemicals, or specialized dairy) over the next 6 months to recoup the margin.
Always conduct a quarterly price audit against a secondary supplier.